Sri Lanka Rugby announced their 12-member squad to tour South Korea in the upcoming Asia Sevens Series 2nd leg and will field in the experienced campaigners Danushka Ranjan and Chanaka Chandimal.
The duo will be replacing Kavindu Perera and Samith Dhananjaya from the 1st leg lineup.
Sudarshana Muthuthanthri’s Sri Lanka national sevens side will have the services of last year’s skipper and impact player Danushka Ranjan who is finally declared match fit.
The 24-year-old missed out on the 1st leg not having completely recovered from the injury that he sustained in the Asia Division I Rugby Championship in May.
Read More: Ranjan out; Four debutants included for Asia Sevens
However, the Kandy Sports Club center has been with the team since the start of training and shouldn’t find blending in difficult.
Chanaka Chandimal who was an initial pick in the 1st leg side missed out on the tour due to chicken pox is back with the team as the selectors named him in the 12-member squad.
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Injured Kavindu Perera will sit the 2nd leg out having sustained a minor injury in his hamstring while Samith Dhananjaya will sit out this tour.
Read about Kavindu’s injury: Kavindu Perera ruled out of Asia Sevens 2nd leg
Richard Dharmapala who is coming back from a neck injury will not be included when the team takes flight to South Korea next week.
Read More: Experienced players return to national squad
“We don’t want to take a chance with Richard. He is just fresh from a severe neck injury and we are giving him enough time to recover” added national selector Michael Jayasekara on Dharmapala.
“Neck injuries are serious injuries” he further added.
The six under 23 players will remain in the squad and with no change made as the Tuskers will look at finishing in the top 4 in the second leg.
The first leg didn’t get the best of results for the Islanders, finishing 5th overall winning the Plate and come to South Korea, the Tuskers side will look to improve on their playing to finish within the top 3.
The final 12 member touring squad:
Sudarshana Muthuthanthri – Havelock SC
Jason Dissanayake – Kandy SC
Danushka Ranjan – Kandy SC
Sudam Sooriyarachchi – Havelock SC
Chanaka Chandimal – Navy SC
Omalka Gunarathane – CR & FC
Kevin Dixon – Havelock SC
Buddhima Piyarathane – Navy SC
Tarinda Ratwatte – CR & FC
Naveen Henakankanamage – S. Thomas’ College
Danush Dayan – Kandy SC
Hirantha Perera – Havelock SC
The team will leave the country on the 20th.
