Army banking on Martis revival  

The Army SC rugby squad

Army Sports Club with their new head coach Sanath Martis is confident ahead of the inter-club league rugby season which gets underway today.

Army will have a tricky trip to Ratmalana when they take on Air Force Sports Club on Saturday with the kick-off set for 4pm. 

Army of course had a very poor season in the 2024-25 League failing to secure a spot in the top four despite having a fairly strong squad. 

They are set to be led by wing three-quarter Sudaraka Dikkumbura who has already played for Sri Lanka while front rower Dhanilsha Dissanayake will serve as vice-captain. 

Dikkumbura was such a crucial part of the Army team last year scoring some important tries and his performances made him secure a place in the Sri Lanka team. 

They will also look to their key players Tharindra Chandrasena, Gaurawa Pannila and Naveen Chandrasena to be at their best this season. 

Army had a very good preseason under their new head coach Sanath Martis who has been one of the leading coaches for decades now. Army has already won the Defence Services rugby title when they defeated Navy Sports Club and Air Force Sports Club. They will look to build on that ahead of the new season. While Army SC have not signed up any school leavers, Martis is confident of the Army debutants. 

“We haven’t got any school leavers but we have some very talented players like Samantha Narada, Chanuka Dilshan (half back) Amesh Rashmika, Tharun Warnasooriya (locks) Gaurawa Pannila (utility backs) Ruchira Silva (centre) Kaushan Jayathunga, Dinesh Dissanayake and Isanka Sampath (winger) who are set to make their debut”, said Martis.