By Harsha Amarasinghe and Sandun Kodithuwakku

CH and FC are set to field arguably the heaviest pack in the division with some gigantic players set to be feature in the starting line-up.

Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Dhirendra Ratwatte, Shehan Dias and Dimitri Wijetunga will join the likes of Sajith Saranga, Sudharshana Muthuthanthri, Sathya Ranatunga, Niwanka Prasad and Prasath Madushanka forming a very heavy pack around 900kg.

“I think we have one of the strongest packs in the whole league and I think our pack weight comes to over 900kg which is probably the heaviest in the league,” CH and FC captain Rohitha Rajapaksa told Daily Mirror.

Despite claiming the Inter-Club 7’s title, the Maitland Crescent Club have failed to land the league title in recent years, but with a star-studded side the fly-half hopes to land the biggest prize in Sri Lanka club rugby this season.

“I think this is probably the strongest CH team for the past 15 or 20 years and we have won the 7’s title but not the league title. We have been winning 7’s because have good young nippy players but fifteen-a-side we have not won, so this year we have one of the biggest opportunity to win the title and we should make sure we win it this year,” added the former Navy SC and Army SC player.

Going into the start of the season many have recognized CH and FC along with Kandy Sports Club as favoruites to win the title, but Rajapaksa played down the expectations.

“I don’t think we have a specific rival team, we also look at every team as a very strong unit and we don’t underestimate any side. We take game at a time and no team is easy, but what we want to do is to be the better team on the field,” said Rajapaksa nicknamed ‘Chi-Chi.’

Meanwhile, CH Head Coach Viper Gunarathne said ‘fitness’ levels could be a vital factor in managing such a big squad.

“Fitness will be a very important factor when the selection is made. We don’t consider the seniority as a prominent factor and if any player is fit and playing good rugby they could be starting games,” Viper told Daily Mirror.

CH and FC secured some major signings including Dushmantha Priyadarshana from Havelock Sports Club in addition to Chamara Dabare from the same club. Arshad Jamaldeen who found it difficult to break into the Kandy first team also left the Hills Capital to join CH alongside senior man Gayan Weeraratne while they have also recruited some strong young school leavers including Dhirendra Ratwatte and Warren Weerakoon from Trinity College and S. Shenuka from Thurstan College.

Daily Mirror Prediction:

It seems like this is finally their year. There is no doubt that they have a ridiculously good squad which is full of stars, but this is more to do with their closest rival Kandy Sports Club having most of their top players injured. Samuel Maduwantha looks set to remain at full-back which leaves Rohitha Rajapaksa and Arshad Jamaldeen at fly-half which could be an area of concern, but that CH pack along could bulldoze teams. Champion-elect!

Player to watch out for

Sudam Parinda - the scrum-half is one of the most improved players in the recent years and since making his mark at the Isipathana College, the Sri Lanka 7's player has not looked back and going into this season he could be the decisive player for CH and FC due to his individual brilliance that reminds a lot of Kandy super star Srinath Sooriyabandara