Sri Lanka men’s and women’s outfit in action at China Sevens

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Sri Lanka men’s and women’s sevens rugby teams will be in action at the Asia Rugby sevens series in Qingdao, China today and tomorrow. This is the first leg of the Asian Sevens series 2015/2016. The second leg of the tournament will be played in Thailand and the third leg in Colombo at the race Course Grounds.

The Sri Lanka men’s outfit will miss the services of their regular skipper Fazil Marija who is nursing an injury, will be out for the next two weeks. Leading the outfit will be the former Thomian and Havies player Sudarshan Muthuthanthri who will have a daunting task to end top three in this tournament. They will play Singapore and Kazakhstan in their group encounters on the opening day.

The Women’s outfit will be led by experienced Thanuja Weerakody who will play along with China, Hong Kong and Singapore in the group stages on the opening day. Sri Lanka Women’s best ranking in the tournament has been fifth, winning the plate in Hong Kong last year.

Men’s Sevens Tournament

Pool A – Hong Kong, Philippines, UAE

Pool B – Sri Lanka, Singapore, Kazakhstan

Pool C – Japan, China, Taipei

Pool D – South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia

Women’s Tournament

Pool W – China, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Singapore

Pool X – Japan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Uzbekistan

Sri Lanka men’s sevens pool for China tour: Sudharshana Muthuthanthri (Capt), Anuruddha Wilwara, Danushka Ranjan, Dulaj Perera, Gayan Weerarathna, Hirantha Perera, Kanchana Ramanayake, Lavanga Perera, Richard Darmapala, Sandun Herath, Shehan Pathirana, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Rohan Chinthaka.

Sri Lanka women’s pool for China tour: Thanuja Weerakkody (Capt), Sandika Hemakumari, Randika Kumudumali, Ayesha  Perera, Niranjala Wickramarathna, Anusha Priyadarshani, Wijemunisa Sanjeewan, Malkanthi Rathnayake, Nadeeka Munasinghe, Sanjeewani Wasana, Dasuni Gimhani, Ayesha Lakmali.