Gigantic rugby pool to pick Tuskers

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka has formed an extended 65-member rugby pool, a crucial step in strengthening depth and competition ahead of a demanding international schedule.

The selections reflect a balanced mix of experience and emerging talent, drawn from leading domestic clubs, with a clear focus on building combinations and testing versatility across positions.

The enlarged squad will first be groomed for the upcoming Malaysian tour, which is expected to serve as a key preparatory assignment. 

The tour offers valuable match exposure, allowing selectors to assess form, fitness, and adaptability under competitive conditions before trimming the squad for future assignments. 

The Sri Lanka team, also called the Tuskers for its elephant emblem on the jersey, will first face what is being tagged the junior Tigers of Malaysia in two games in Colombo on April 12 and 15 at Longden Place.

More importantly, the Malaysian outing will act as a dress rehearsal for the much-anticipated New Zealand Under 85kg tour. Facing a structured and high-tempo unit from New Zealand will demand discipline and cohesion, making the current selection phase critical for identifying players suited to that specific style of play.

Beyond that, Sri Lanka’s ambitions extend to the Asia Rugby Top 4, where the team will compete against regional heavyweights Hong Kong, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. 

Hong Kong will be a home game while the other two matches will be away assignments.

The inclusion of a majority of players from CR and FC, Havelock SC, Kandy SC and CH and FC highlight the competitive nature of the domestic league. 

Selected players will go through a medical test on April 6 before the training session which will commence at CR and FC ground with head coach Dushanth Lewke.

CR and FC skipper Lasindu Karunathilake and his Kandy SC counterpart Tharindu Chathuranga are the front runners for the leadership role.
The Pool: 

CR and FC: Charith Silva, Wenura Kodagoda, Naveen Marasinghe, Senal Adikaram, Achitha Radishan, Omalka Gunaratne, Abdul Ahamed, Lasindu Karunathilaka, Harsha Maduranga, Viduna Ahameth, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Manilka Ruberu, Dimuth Perera, Pasindu Bandara, Chamod Muthunayaka, Gemunu Chiethiya, Musheed Doray

Havelock SC: Abdulla Faiz, Nisal Silva, Ajmeer Fajudeen, Janidu Fernando, Udesh Madusanka, Chathura Dilshan, Mohamed Rifan, Sudesh Jayawickrama, Dilshara Kodagoda, Jayathu Rajaratne, Samuel Maduwantha

Kandy SC: Milan Weerasinghe, Malith Wijesundara, Charles Praveen, Kenula Hettiarachchi, Thilina Bandara, Chathura Soyza, Tharindu Chathuranga, Nalan Premanath, Dahan Wickramarachchi, Shahid Zumri, Diluksha Dange, Akash Madusanka, Kavindu Perera, Dinal Ekanayake, Gayan Perera, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Yuwan Pathirana

CH and FC: Deshan Vimukthi, Hansitha de Silva, Pulasthi Dissanayake, Raveen de Silva, Lahiru Thilakarathne, Devinda Ratnayake, Naham Hemachandra, Maliksha Perera, Janidu Dilshan, Janith Chandimal

Air Force SC: Shamika Kaushan, Gayantha Iddamalgoda, Pramod Pathmashantha
Army SC: Ijaaz Ahamed, Sudaraka Dikkumbura
Police SC: Vihaga Saveen
Navy SC: Denuwan Wickramaarachchi, Isuru Perera, Isuru Kongahawaththa
Sri Lions SC: Nizran Mohamed
Head coach: Dushanth Lewke