Politics and Egos plague Sri Lanka Rugby: Murcott

Former Dubai-based Sri Lankan coach sparks transformation at Stusta Rugby Club 

Stusta won with a record score of 78-8 against Munich RFC. Murcott is standing on extreme right

By Allaam Ousman 

When Richard Murcott, 42, moved to Germany, he believed his days on the rugby sidelines were behind him. Having previously coached in Sri Lanka and Dubai, the veteran coach was ready to step away from the game and settle into a quieter life — tending to his dogs and leaving the whistle behind. But fate had other plans.

A casual conversation with Jan Ludeke, president of Stusta Rugby Club in Munich, opened an unexpected door. Ludeke invited Murcott to come on board as a consultant coach for the men’s teams midway through the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. At that point, Stusta was languishing near the bottom of the league table.

Murcott’s arrival, however, changed everything. Murcott’s rugby résumé is impressive. As a player, he excelled in multiple backline positions — fly half, full back and centre. As a coach, his journey spans across countries and cultures. He guided the Havelock Bambaras during two stints (2006–07 and 2010–12), and later moved to the UAE, coaching Lanka Lions (2015–18) and Sri Lions (2019). His teams won the Dubai Sevens Men’s Open Division twice — once with Lanka Lions in 2015, and again with Sri Lions in 2019. In 2024, he took the helm at Stusta, and his impact was immediate.

“When I joined, Stusta had already played three games and were sitting eighth in the standings,” Murcott recalled. What followed was a swift turnaround. With a few strategic adjustments and a receptive squad eager to learn, the team soared to third place by season’s end — a remarkable rise in a short span.

“This was a huge first step for both the club and the players,” Murcott emphasised, crediting the transformation to the players’ commitment to his methods.

That success led to a formal appointment for the 2025/26 season, with Murcott now signed on as the Head Coach for both the 15s and 7s men’s teams. His ambitions are clear-cut: win the league. “No stone unturned, no nonsense,” he asserted, a motto that reflects his no-frills coaching philosophy.

Having coached in three vastly different environments — Sri Lanka, Dubai, and now Germany — Murcott draws unique comparisons between them. What sets German rugby apart, he believes, is the purity of its purpose.

“In Germany, rugby isn’t professional,” he revealed. “Players play for the passion of the sport, not for money. It’s the way rugby used to be played in Sri Lanka in the ’70s and ’80s.”

That nostalgic comparison also comes with a critique. “There’s no club politics here,” he added. “Everyone is focussed on player development, which naturally lifts the national game.”

He pointed out that Dubai, in contrast, benefits from better funding — but Germany’s values and structure win his admiration.

Among the season highlights was a defining victory over München RFC, the oldest rugby club in the city. Stusta defeated them 78–8 in the second round — a stunning reversal from their earlier 33–15 defeat.

“It was a complete turnaround and a testament to the character of our players,” Murcott notes with pride.

Having worked with players across continents, Murcott believes Sri Lankan club players possess superior skills — but that’s where the advantage ends. 

“When it comes to discipline, physicality and commitment, German players are far ahead. For example, my starting forward pack weighs in at 800 kilogrammes,” he said, hinting at the gulf in conditioning standards.

Yet, he sees potential for Sri Lankan players abroad. “Players like Tarinda Ratwatte, Nigel Ratwatte, Thilina Bandara and Lasindu Karunatilleke could definitely play in Germany,” he declared.

He’s also open to facilitating club tours or invitational matches with Sri Lankan sides, though he feels Dubai clubs are currently better positioned to engage with German teams. “Sri Lanka needs to put its house in order first,” he remarked candidly.

Murcott doesn’t mince words when reflecting on the crisis in Sri Lankan rugby. For him, the root cause of the problem is clear: “Politics and egos.”

He painted a picture of a sport hijacked by personal agendas. “It’s sad how friends who sat together have now become enemies, and former rivals suddenly align. It’s a joke. A constant power struggle.”

His solution is radical but simple. He proposes removing all those involved in infighting and installing a neutral leadership group to reboot the system. “Appoint someone like Michael Jayasekera to head Sri Lanka Rugby for two years, with five others who have no political or club interests — just people dedicated to reviving the game.”

He adds names like Ana Saranapala, Hisham Abdeen, Priyantha Ekanayake, Harris Omar and Anton Benedict to that list — figures whose integrity and respect in rugby circles he believes are beyond question.

Murcott singles out Jayasekera’s past withdrawal from SLRFU elections due to political interference as a missed opportunity. “If he had taken charge then, things might have been very different today,” he said.

For now, Murcott’s full attention is on guiding Stusta to a Bundesliga title. “That’s my only priority,” he affirms.

He believes more Sri Lankan coaches could succeed internationally — if they’re genuinely committed to the craft. He cites Leonard de Zilwa, currently leading rugby development in Nepal and Boa Athu, who is making strides in New Zealand, as examples of local talent making a global mark. “It’s a shame Sri Lanka doesn’t tap into their expertise,” he laments. “But then again, prophets are rarely valued in their own lands.”

Murcott attributes much of his coaching identity to mentor Ana Saranapala, whom he still consults weekly. “He made me the coach I am,” he recalled. “He even watches my games and sends pointers. I owe everything to him.”

In his closing thoughts, Murcott was quick to thank those who shaped his journey. Among them are his wife and parents, Jan Ludeke of Stusta, WPRFU (Western Province Rugby Football Union) President Roshan Deen (who appointed him to coach the WPRFU Barbarians), Roger Rodrigo (Lanka Lions, Dubai), and Kelum Sujith (Sri Lions, Dubai).

“All of them played a big role in my coaching career,” he said with heartfelt appreciation.

As he builds a winning team in Munich, Richard Murcott remains deeply connected to his roots — and determined to one day see Sri Lankan rugby reclaim its lost glory.