Take on Philippines in bid to gain promotion to Asian Top Division:

Confident Lanka out to clear final hurdle today

The Sri Lankans who are brimming with confidence after their two smashing wins over Chinese Taipei (36 – 8) and Singapore (35 – 10) will go flat out to clear their last hurdle in their bid to gain promotion to the top division when they confront host nation Philippines in their final game of the Asian Five Nations Division One Rugby tournament in Manila, Philippines today.

The Sri Lankans under the inspiring leadership of Yoshitha Rajapaksa have only to overcome the Philippines in today's match to once again enter the top division of Asian Rugby.The Sri Lankans have flown out CR and FC centre Lasintha De Costa to replace the injured Mohamed Sheriff for today's crucial match.

The Sri Lankan forwards have given a terrific display in the last two matches to outplay their counterparts and are expected to give a repeat performance today.

Skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa has been a source of inspiration to his team-mates with his fiery loose play and has been ably supported by his pack mates Henry Terrance, Achala Perera, Sumedha Malewana, Sharo Fernando and Namal Rajapaksa as the Lankans reigned supreme in the loose in the last two outings.

The youthful back division has made maximum use of the “ good ball” that came their way.

The halves combination of nippy Srinath Sooriyabandara and Dev Anand have hit it off smoothly while centres Charith Seneviratne, Mohamed Sheriff, wingers Dinusha Chathuranga and Sandun Herath sliced through the opponent's defence in both matches which has resulted in the Lankans scoring 10 tries in the two games.

Despite losing the services of Mohamed Sheriff due to injury for today's game, the Lankan “threes” should give another dazzling display today.

Pull back Reza Mubarak too has been a tower of strength with his safe collections and booming kicks to touch in addition to joining the line to form the overlap when the occasion demands. He has been an asset to the side with his bulls-eye place kicking.

Victory in todays game, will ensure the Lankans a place in the top divison where they will compete against Asian Rugby Heavyweights Japan, Hong Kong, UAE, and Kazakhstan.

Sri Lanka's coach Phil Greening was confident that the Lankans will emerge victorious in Saturday's match despite the host nation vastly improved Philippines having the services of several expatriats.

The probable Lankan team. Henry Terrance, Achala Perera, Kishore Jehan, Sharo Fernando, Sumedha Malewana, Sajith Saranga, Namal Rajapaksa, Yoshitha Rajapaksa (Captain) , Srinath Sooriyabandara and Dev Anand, Sandun Herath, Dinusha Chathuranga, Charith Seneviratne, Lasintha De Costa, Reza Mubarak.