Isipathana College, dubbed the kings of schools’ rugby and who are the defending champions of the Dialog Under 19 inter-schools league and knockout rugby tournaments, will go all out in defending those titles and target another triple crown, having already won the schools’ 7’s title.

Isipathana, led by fly-half Naveen Kanishka, began their league season in style with a convincing 32-08 win over Kingswood College in their opening match.

Spearheaded by former Sri Lanka player Saliya Kumara, who in his first year as coach guided them to a double last year, Isipathana will be the side to beat and skipper Kanishka has experience and senior players in his ranks, in the likes of winger Rinesh Silva, centre Chamindu Chirath, scrum half Sehandu de Costa and No. 8 Nisaja Jayaweera.

Last year they had a successful stint and remained unbeaten right throughout the season which culminated in them bagging the league and knockout titles and although they have lost seven players from last season coach Kumara is confident and optimistic that the boys will not falter.

If they are successful in winning the league and knockout crowns, it will be the seventh time they have achieved this, doing so in 1985, 1986, 1992, 1997, 1999 and 2014.

Isipathana:- Naveen Kansihka (Captain), Rinesh Silva, Chamindu Chirath, Sehandu de Costa, Hashen Randimal, Chamath Iroshan, Sehandu de Costa, Tharindu Eranga, Nisaja Jayaweera, Dunila Fernando, Kaveen Tharusha, Senuth Dinusata, Savinu Arawgoda, Chamindu Dilshan, Kalindu Silva, Shaahid Zumri, Lasitha Mapitigama, Abdullah Faizer, Gesandu Maneth, Bashitha Chathuranga, Sithurpa Bometh, Avishka Hiran, Kenula, Mihisara, Tehan Ranaweera, Thrienthra Dodangoda, Sithum Damhiru, Raheem Ahamad, Nimantha Sandeepa, Shaakib Zumri, Head Coach – Saliya Kumara, Forwards Coach – Dhanushka Boteju, Trainer – Hashan Gomez,  Manager – Rehan Massadiq, Master in-Charge – Sumeda Premasiri. (M. Shamil Amit)