Youth Rugby Asiad curtain-raiser today:

Sri Lanka plays against Asian giants South Korea

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

Rugby: Sri Lanka Under 20 ruggerites will have a gigantic task in making an impact at the Junior World Rugby Tournament division one qualifier 2010 when they take on Asian Heavy Weights South Korea in their opening game today (Sunday) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Japan, HongKong, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore are the eight participating teams.

Last year in Hong Kong the Lankans beat South Korea which created a sensation in the championship. This year, too, the Sri Lankans will be meeting the strong South Koreans and a win against them will pit us against the mighty Japanese who are rated number one in the tournament.

The Japanese will have an easy game with lowly placed Singapore in their first outing.

The Japanese missed the last year's tourney as they were taking part in the World Cup qualifying matches. Having failed in their attempt to qualify, they have been relegated to the Asian Championship.

Peterite Shenal Dias leads the strong Under 20 squad which also includes deputy Rajitha Sansoni (Kingswood) centre Thomian Anurudha Wilwara, winger Royalist Chaminda Dabare who have played in the last Asia tournament in addition to several talented players who shone in this years school tournament.

The team underwent a three weeks residential training camp at the Katunayake Air Force Base under the guidance of coach Sanath Martis assisted by Nihal(Viper) Gunaratne who has taken great care in moulding the team into a strong unit.

The tour gives the Lankan lads the much needed foreign exposure, which should stand in goodstead when they turn out for their respective schools or may be clubs in the next rugby seasoa.

Singer Sri Lanka who sponsored the team and its Marketing Director Nasser Majeed addressing a media briefing on the eve of the team's departure said that schools rugby has a tremendous following in the country, and the schools league season provided stiff competition between leading schools which augurs well for the future of youth rugby in the country. Singer as the sponsor of the league tournament decided to sponsor the Under 20 team for this tournament as they deserved it, due to the high standard displayed during the seasop.

Sri Lanka had to make two changes at the last minute when Royalist prop Yudith Karunaratne (due to studies) and Peterite Sandun Herath (due to injury) pulled out from the squad and were replaced by Murad Ramzeel (Trinity) and Mayura Sanjeeva (St.Joseph's).

The Under 20 squad. Shenal Dias (Capt) St.Peter's Kanchana Ramanayke(Trinity), Keith Gurusinghe (St.Peter's), Steve Nelson (St.Peter's), Banuka Nanayakkara (St.Peter's), Tharindu Rajaguru (St. Anthony's (K), Rajitha Sansoni (V.Capt) Kingswood, Prasad Devinda (Isipathana), Anjula de Silva (S.Thomas'), Shehan Pathirana (Royal), Abdul Murad (Trinity), Prabath Jayalath (Kingswood), Asitha Ratnayake (St.Peter's), Mushin Faleel (Royal), Kasun Jaysuriya Kingswood, Chethiya Wadugodapitiya (Kingswood), Azmil Omar (Wesley), Chamara Dabare (Royal), Tharindu Chanaka (St.Anthony's(K), Mayura Sanjeeva (St.Joseph's), Anurudha Wilwara (S.Thomas'), Mohammed Nizam (Trinity), Soyuru Anthony (St.Peter's), Sudharshana Muthuthanthri (S.Thomas')

Coach Sanath Martis, Assistant coach Nihal Gunaratne, Manager S.W.Chang, Physio W.M. Dharmaratne.