High flying Colin Denish weclomes new stakes

Former Sri Lanka Youth rugby coach Colin Denish has been recalled to prepare the national Under-20 team for two upcoming Asian Junior Sevens meets to be held in Malaysia and Hong Kong this month and the former fly-half is anticipating the high stakes.

Denish was the coach of the Youth team (15-a-side) in 2013 when the side earned a promotion to the Division One segment under the captaincy of Science College player Richard Dharmapala.

"It's a new challenge for me and I love challenges. There are only a few players left from last year's (Under-20) side but the present players have shown plenty of promise", Denish told the Sunday Observer.

He is currently on a pedestal after coaching Science College to their maiden inter-school knock-out title in his first stint as coach of the Mount Lavinia school.

Denish said the main aim of the Youth squad was to qualify for the World Junior Sevens scheduled to be held later this year.

Only three teams can qualify from the Asian zone with Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong said to be having the best chances.

But Denish, an ex-St. Peter's College captain and coach, wants to be optimistic.

"It will be very tough (to qualify) but our players are ahead in a big way when it comes to skill (speed, ball-handling and side-stepping). We have to develop where the weight is concerned", said Denish.

Sri Lanka will contest the first leg of the Youth Sevens on August 15 and 16 in Malaysia and the second leg in Hong Kong on August 21 and 22.

Sri Lanka Under-20 squad:

Omalka Gunaratne, Dilhan Gamage, Kushan Silva, Asitha Punchihewa, Rehan Silva, Shenal Deelaka, Sudam Suriarachchi (all from Isipathana), Lasindu Karunatilleke, Prince Chamara, Prasad Silva, Supun Wijesuriya, Thanuja Maduranganage, Sajith Pothupitiya, Kumara Galagahahewage (all from Science College), Amitha Prabath Silva (Old Mudalians), Vimukthi Rahula, Chamika Samaratunga, Suneth de Silva, Thariq Salih (all from St. Joseph's), Ishaaq Jurangpathi (S. Thomas'), Sithum Peiris, Ramesh Fernando, Viraj Weerasekera, Reeza Raffaideen, Kevin Dixon, Bhanuka Gamage, Nishon Perera (all from Agoal Rugby Academy), Dinesh Nainduhandige, Buddhima Piyaratne, Udara Jayapala (all from Kandurata), Shamri Burah (HAARFA Green) and Saranga Gunatilleke (Trinity)