COLOMBO, January 16 (ePRESS) – League leaders CR and FC, strong contenders for this year’s Maliban Trophy SLR Inter-club A Division League Rugby Tournament, will field a slightly reshuffled side for their crucial clash against Air Force Sports Club at Longden Place on Saturday at 6.00 pm under floodlights, with free entry for spectators.
CR and FC will miss their regular skipper Lasindu Karunathilaka, placing the captaincy responsibility on experienced fly-half Mursheed Doray. The Red Shirts have made a few key changes, especially in the forwards and back division, as they look to maintain their grip at the top of the league table.
Up front, former St Peter’s College prop Januth Ratnayake will bind down with Charith Silva, while seasoned hooker Venura Kodagoda anchors the front row. Burly Naveen Marasinghe and Sandesh Induwara complete a solid and physical tight-five combination, expected to challenge Air Force at the set-piece.
In the loose forwards, flanker Raveen Anjula teams up with Omalka Gunaratne, while Fijian Seula Vilvanuwa steps into the vital number eight role following the short absence of his compatriot. Hashan Madumadhawa will control play at the base of the scrum and combine with Doray to manage the tempo.
CR and FC’s midfield pairing of Thenuka Nanayakkara and Manilka Ruberu brings experience and defensive strength, while last season’s Peterite skipper Vishenka Silva and Chemod Muthunayake provide pace and power on the wings. Former Peterite Kushan Tharindu marshals the backfield as fullback.
Air Force Sports Club enter the contest full of confidence under the leadership of flanker Sharaka Werella. Their forward pack boasts experience through former skipper Parakrama Ratnayake, Rumesh Wasantha, and the dynamic hooker Shamika Kaushan, who could trouble CR and FC in open play.
In the back division, experienced Gayantha Iddamalgoda remains Air Force’s key attacking threat, capable of exploiting space and applying pressure on the Red Shirts’ defensive line.
Probable CR and FC XV:
Charith Silva, Venura Kodagoda, Januth Ratnayake, Naveen Marasinghe, Sandesh Induwara, Omalka Gunaratne, Raveen Anjula, Seula Vilvanuwa, Hashan Madumadhawa, Mursheed Doray (captain), Vishenka Silva, Manilka Ruberu, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Chemod Muthunayake, Kushan Tharindu.
