Royal College, fielding a young outfit mixed with experienced players, will be looking forward to regaining the Under-19 schools’ rugby title after surrendering it to Isipathana last year after hanging on to it for three successive years (2017, 2018 and 2019).

In their quest for the championship title, the Reid Avenue boys, led by Randul Senanayake, underwent a setback as they were beaten by archrivals St. Peter’s and are now left with the task of making a comeback in the remaining four matches.

They have in their ranks, apart from skipper Senanayake, nine players who did duty for them last season, and they ended up as the third-best team following Isipathana and St. Joseph’s. In fact, it’s almost like the team they fielded last year.

But for sure, they will focus more on the Bradby Shield encounter against traditional rivals Trinity and will be looking to bag the prestigious shield for the fifth successive year, having won in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022, with no matches being played for two years in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.

However, though they suffered a defeat in the first, it’s too early to judge the performance of a team, and Royal are known for their fighting qualities and turning the tables.

Head coach Dushanth Lewke is an experienced character, and for sure he will look into the shortcomings and guide the side along with his assistants. It’s also left for skipper Senanayake, along with his deputy Thivain Perera and senior players Kavinash Srikanth, Philio Calyanaratne, and Thanvir Hassen, to combine and bring them back to winning terms.

Royal College Rugby Pool 2023:
Randul Senanayake (Capt.), Thivain Perera, Kavinash Srikanth, Philio Calyanaratne, Thanvir Hassen, Thineth Gamage, Nabil Yahya, Buwaneka Senanayake, Yehaan Weerasuriya, Yovindu Ethugala, Binuda Malalgama, Akram Farouk, Duljaya Gamanayake, Amika Samarasinghe, Sanvidu Pathirana, Simal Shafeek, Yehen Rajasinghe, Charuka Seneviratne, Ajmal Marikkar, Shahid Mohideen, Chethan Samarasinghe, Pabasara Samarakoon, Amika Samarasinghe, Ayyash Shiyam.

Head Coach - Dushanth Lewke, Assistant Coach - Radhika Hettiarachchi, Trainer - Vishvamithra Jayasinghe, Physio - Nimesh Silva, Kicking Coach - Ajith Silva, Manager - Thomas Paul, Master-in-Charge - Aruna Shantha. (M. SHAMIL AMIT)