Royal-Thomian clash at Mount Lavinia

Royal College will go all out to retain the Michael Guneratne Trophy for the sixth successive year by beating traditional rivals S Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia in their schools 'A' division league rugby match at S Thomas College grounds Mount Lavinia today.

The Royalists have won eight matches this season but will face a strong challenge from the Thomians who have been practising hard for the last few days under their new coach Esala de Livera Tennekoon despite registering just one win in eight matches and losing seven.

Royal will miss the services of skipper Shehan Pathirana who is away in Hong Kong. His place will be taken by Lahiru Pavithra who will play as no. 8 alongside flankers Andrew Siriwardena and Wasim Bawa with Adil Jabbar leading the team.

Regular scrum half Dileepa Jayatilleke has been shifted to the centre berth and will play alongside Rimzie Jamaldeen. Centre Damian Ratwatte will be the new full back and Ravishan Dassanayake will operate from the base of the scrum.

Royal won last year's encounter by 38 points to 12 while the Thomians last won in 2005 by 20-5 under the captaincy of Namal Rajapaksa.