Selectors pick 34-member squad

By Asanka Gammanpila

https://ceylontoday.lk/

The National Selectors have picked a squad of 34 for the Under-19 Asia Rugby Championship, which will be held from 11 to 14 December in China.

The selectors will finalize the 26 member touring squad before leaving on 8 December.  

The team will be led by Thulaib Hassan, who captained Royal College this year to win the league title once again.

Trinity College captain Reshan Bandaranayake has also been named in the squad, and will look to use all his experience during this tour.

Kingswood College’s scrum half Hirusha Sampath and fly-half Asiri Senevirathne, who played very well in the league, have also been picked by the national selectors.

Wesley captain Mursheed Doray, who was outstanding for the double blues, has also been named along with their number 8 Samuel Ogbebor.

St Peter’s College’s nippy scrum half Raveen Fernando, who had a memorable season for his school, has also found a place in the squad with second row Mohamed Nizran.

Isipathana may not have had a great season, but their centre Manilka Sulakshana was one of the standout performers for them, and he has been picked correctly by the selectors.

Players like Warren Weerakoon and Adeesha Handunpathirana, who have already been signed up by clubs, will not be available for the club season until their return from the championship.

Nihal (Viper) Gunarathne Jr. Has been appointed head coach, while St Peter’s College assistant coach Rajeev Perera will be the forward coach and Thurstan College coach Rohitha Rajapaksa the back division coach. 

 Squad: 

Thulaib Hassen (captain-Royal), Mecan Yashwanth (Trinity), Nimesha Ekanayake (Trinity), Janidu Rathnayake (Trinity), Reshan Bandaranayake (Trinity), Tharindu Kapuwatte (Isipathana), Tuan Suhail Waseem (St Anthony’s), Hirusha Sampath ( Kingswood), Asiri Seneviratne (Kingswood), Dinal Ekanayake (Kingswood), Thuan Dilshan (Kingswood), Milan Weerasinghe (Kingswood), Theeraka Santhusa (St Joseph’s), Warren Weerakoon (Trinity), Mohammed Nilar Nizran (St Peters), Manula Rathnayaka (Isipathana), Shehan Eranda Gamage (St Joseph’s), Samuel Ogbebor (Wesley), Roche Thangiah (St Josephs), Tuan Dilshan Jayah (Royal), Adhisha Handunpathirana (S Thomas’), Manilka Sulakshana (Isipathana),  Lankesh Perera (St Peters), Kalindu Nandila (Royal), Santhush Algama (St Joseph’s), Sanjula Rohan (Science), Raveen Fernando (St Peters), ASF Faisar Adahan (Royal), Janidu Yasas (St Peters), Lahiru Thilakarathne (Royal), Sameera Piumal (Lumbini), Janith Serasinghe (Isipathana), Tharindu Hemal Walpitage (Wesley), Mursheed Doray (Wesley)

(CT Sports)