Title-chasing CR eye flying start

By Harsha Amarasinghe

CR and FC are set to field a strong starting line-up against the CH and FC in their opening match of the Dialog Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament at Longden Place today (10).

Samoan flanker Joseph Fuimaono will make his debut joining big number eight Omalka Gunarathne and Joel Perera in the third row while the new-signing Shehan Dias has also been named in the first XV.

The Red Shirts have also bolstered their front row by bringing in hooker Dulanjana Wijesinghe who is probably the best player in that position.

Meanwhile, Head Coach Nilfer Ibrahim has opted to hand club debut to centre Janidu Dilshan who has had a phenomenal Inter School season leading Royal College to League glory.

The Longden Place Club is expected to produce some entertaining rugby with the quality they have in the back five which includes Reeza Raffaideen, Rehan Silva, Kavindu Perera and Kevin Dixon in addition to Dilshan.

Kavindu de Costa will start the game as scrum half though Rahul de Silva is expected to come off the bench in the second half while fly half Tarinda Ratwatte remains to be their key player.

This has got to be the Red Shirts strongest side in the recent years and they would go all out to secure League glory.

Meanwhile, the CH and FC refused to reveal their starting line-up.

CR and FC: Hafiz Noor, Dulanjana Wijesinghe, Kokila Sammandapperuma, Shehan Dias, Charana Chamikara, Joel Perera, Joseph Fuimaono, Omalka Gunarathne, Kavindu de Costa and Tarinda Ratwatte, Reeza Raffaideen, Janidu Dilshan, Rehan Silva, Kavindu Perera (Captain), Kevin Dixon.

CH and FC: To be announced.