Sri Lanka under-19 team aim to finish third in Youth Rugby Asiad

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

RUGBY: The Sri Lanka under-19 rugby team which leaves for Chinese Taipei today to take part in the Youth Rugby Asiad will strive to finish in third position in the eight-nation tournament and qualify for the Youth World Cup in Dublin, Ireland next year.

The Sri Lankans will confront formidable Chinese Taipei in their first match and if they emerge victorious then they will take on the winners of the South Korea-Hong Kong match in the semi-finals of the Cup Championship.

"We have some powerful forwards of the calibre of Jasser Hassan, Manil Abeyratne, Sean Wanigasekera, Chulan Nanayakkara, Bilal Hassen, Rohitha Rajapaksa and skipper Haren Ariyawardena who should be able to match up to their counterparts in the loose while centres Thilina Manoj, Gayan Weeraratne, wingers Kusal Rankothge and Kasun Gamage have impressed at practices and should be able to pierce the opponents defence with their sizzling runs," said coach Sanath Martis on the eve of the team's departure to Chinese Taipei.

The ruggerites underwent two weeks of intensive training at Pallekelle under the watchful eyes of coach Martis and his assistant Nihal Viper Gunaratne and are brimming with confidence.

The Sri Lankans have been taking part in the Youth Rugby Asiads since 1996 and came up with their best performance in the 2000 Youth Rugby Asiad held in Colombo under the leadership of Jeevan Gunathilleke by finishing third and qualified to play in the Youth World Cup in Chile in April, 2001. Since then the Sri Lankans have failed to make an impact and finished sixth in last year's tournament in Lahore, Pakistan. The 23-member Sri Lanka squad:

Prop forwards: Jasser Hassen (Trinity), Manil Abeyratne (Royal), Arjuna Bopitiya (St. Peter's), D. B. Dissanayake (St. Sylvester's).

Hookers: Mahen Wickremasiri (Trinity), Bilal Hassan (Royal).

Second rowers: Sean Wanigasekera (Trinity), Chulan Nanayakkara (Isipatana), Jhan Zaffer (Wesley).

Flankers: Sashika Jayawardena (St. Anthony's), Rohitha Rajapaksa (S. Thomas'), Ishan Noor (St. Peter's).

Number eight: Haren Ariyawardena (captain, St. Peter's).

Scrum halves: Shanaka Pietersz (Wesley), Irfath Meedin (St. Peter's).

Fly half: Roshan Wijesiri (St. Anthony's).

Centres: Tilina Manoj (Kingswood), Gayan Weeraratne (Kingswood), Damith Udayanga (Isipatana).

Wingers: Kusal Rankothge (St. Anthony's), Kasun Gamage (Isipatana).

Full backs: A. N. Hettiarachchi (Dharmaraja), Dinusha Chathuranga (Isipatana).Officials: Tuan Dole (manager), Sanath Martis (coach), Nihal 'Viper' Guneratne (assistant coach).