The Sri Lankan U-19 squad for the Rugby ASIAD to be held from 11th to 17th December in Malaysia has been curtailed to 32 players after two weeks of training.
A squad of 40 players was picked by the national selectors after the Kandy Combined Schools vs. Colombo Combined Schools game in which Colombo Schools dominated the lads from the hills. Practices commenced shortly afterwards in Colombo.
A Squad of 39 players selected for U19 Rugby ASIAD
32 players have been retained in the squad as some members of the current squad are part of the ongoing Dialog Club Rugby League and the possibility of players getting injured has been taken into consideration. However players selected for the final squad will be retained and will not be allowed to take part in the league prior to the tournament in December.
Speaking to ThePapare.com, Nilufer Ibrahim – Head coach of the Sri Lanka under -19 team was confident, saying “We have a very good set of players this time; they’re eager to learn and are improving with every practice session. I believe that this time we have a real good chance of overcoming the Hong Kong hurdle and getting selected for the Junior Rugby World Cup next year”.
The touring squad will include 25 players and the team management hope to announce the final squad by the 30th of November.
Shortlisted squad of 32 Players
- Vageesha Weerasingha, Adeesha Eshan, Kushan Indunil, Lahiru Wishwajith, Isuru
- Udayakumara,Gayan Wickramaratna, Harith Bandara, Ranidu Padmasanka (Isipathana College)
- Supun Wijesooriya (Kingswood College)
- Udaya Sanjula (Prince of Wales College)
- Nikhila Gunadeera, Ashok Wijeykumar (Royal College)
- Nirosh Perera, Janith Laksara, Thanuja Maduranga, (Science College)
- Pasindu Dulshan, Samuel Maduwantha, (St. Anthony’s College)
- Rumesh Priyankara (St. Joseph’s College)
- Ravin Yapa, Sandesh Jayawickrama, Ramesh Fernando (St. Peter’s College)
- Dhanuja Wijeratna, Ashvantha Herath, Pandula De Silva, Naveen Henakankanamge (S. Thomas’ College)
- Rahul Karunathilake, Shalindra Alahakoon, Avisha Priyankara, Lashan Wijeysuriya, Anuka Boyagoda, (Trinity College)
- Zayan Sabar, (Wesley College)
- Wajid Faumy (Zahira College)
