Sri Lanka Rugby skipper Sudarshana Muthuthanthri is set to return in the national colours for the second leg of the Asia Sevens Series as the national squad infused the services of Jason Dissanayake.
Muthuthanthri who injured his wrist at the Asian Games, was ruled out of the 1st leg and is recovering in time as the 3rd placed Sri Lanka Men’s team look to continue their success to South Korea.
The Tuskers performance in Hong Kong in the 1st leg was a leap forward from the 5th place finish from last year.
“I have been doing my rehab and I can say I am 80% fit at the moment. I will take a look at my fitness and ask for advise from the team physio and the doctors” added Muthuthanthri who is eagerly waiting to get back to the playing field.
Meanwhile, Jason Dissanayake has returned for training ahead of the second leg of the Asia Sevens Series. Dissanayake played an important role for the team at the Asian Games that concluded in Indonesia last month.
Causing some controversy, the 24-year-old left national training to take part in the Asia Rugby West Asia Club Champions League for his club representation, Kandy Sports Club. The Sri Lanka men’s team had a window of about 10 days in between the Asian Games and Asia Sevens Series and Dissanayake had opted to make it to Abu Dhabi for the Kandy SC vs Abu Dhabi Harlequins game.
Team Sri Lanka was not in the best shape concluding their Asian Games tourney with injuries to Danushka Ranjan and skipper Sudarshana Muthuthanthri and the selectors didn’t have too many options to choose from.
ThePapare learns that the chairman of selectors Rohan Abeykoon speaking to print media had stated that he(Jason) will not be available for selection for the national team. However, speaking to ThePapare.com, Chairman Abeykoon stated that there will be an inquiry by Sri Lanka Rugby on the situation and not by his committee.
“It is up to the union(Sri Lanka Rugby) to conduct an inquiry on the outcomes of his(Jason) situation and to assess how it affected Sri Lanka Rugby” he added. He, however will continue to train with the national side ahead of the second leg.
Weeraratne and Kavindu Perera ruled out
The Tuskers will lose the services of their players Gayan Weeraratne and Kavindu Perera ahead of the second leg. Weeraratne who made his national comeback after a lapse of three years, is set to miss the second leg due to an injury to his hamstring and toe, while his participation in the 3rd leg is uncertain.
ICYMI: Asia Sevens: Injuries hit senior players
The CR & FC skipper Kavindu Perera will also not play the second leg due to a shoulder injury but is certain to return for training ahead of the third leg.
With Danushka Ranjan still not recovered from the injury that he sustained at the Asian Games, coach Peter Woods has brought the services of Nishon Perera and Omalka Gunarathane to fill the voids.
The final squad to South Korea will be finalized on the Monday 24th
