Will MAS be dethroned on return?

Reigning champions Access will face a tough task to retain their Mercantile 7’s crown as a star studded MAS outfit returns following a year’s break from the tournament.

The much awaited Mercantile 7’s rugby competition returns a week after the glamorous Sri Lanka Super 7’s tournament. Players will be licking their lips, waiting impatiently to get back out on the paddock, this time for their corporate outfits.

A total of 33 team have been separated into 2 segments, Cup & Plate segment and the Bowl & Shield segment.

The Cup & Plate segment further divides into two groups of 4 with 2015 champions MAS and reigning champions Access drawing AMW ‘A’ and Kanrich in group A. Group B consists of two heavy weights Dialog and John Keells while Mobitel and CDB ‘A’ will be the unknown entities of this group.

Inform players, Fazil Marija, Anurudha Willwara and the Weerarathne brothers are a few names MAS will be fielding for the tournament while Access face a few injury concerns but will have the likes of Dhanushka Ranjan, Richard Dharmapala and Srinath Sooriyabandara who will undoubtedly shine on the big stage.

Things will be tough for AMW ‘A’ and Kanrich, two teams coming into the Cup segment this time around.

JKH has been drawn alongside last year’s runners up Dialog and we are sure to see some fireworks when these two titans clash.

CDB ‘A’ with the likes of Rehan Thiyagaraja, Bhanuka Nanayakkara will line up alongside Mobitel as the two newcomers in group B. The two teams will look to make a mark on this prestigious tournament.

The Bowl & Shield segment will comprise of three groups of 6 and a single group of 7 as the other 25 teams line up in hope of success.

Last year’s Shield winners, Brandix will line up in group F while Plate and Bowl winners, of 2016, John Keells ‘B’ and Nation Lanka will surprisingly not participate this time around

Groups:

Catch the live action on the 3rd day (Sunday) from 10am onwards live on ThePapare.com