Asia Rugby Sevens 2021: Experienced Sri Lankan coaching unit at 7s

Thursday, 18 November 2021 00:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Men’s and Women’s outfits left the country hoping to perform well at the Asia Rugby Sevens 2021 which will take place in UAE on 19 and 20 November.

On books, the Men’s outfit looks a fresher full side but with ample energy and eager for success behind them while the Women’s outfit will have ample experience under their belt. The finalist in both forms will book their berth for Sevens Rugby World Cup 2022 in South Africa.

Sri Lankan Rugby Consultant Director Ben Gollings from England is not a stranger to sevens rugby having represented his country in the shorter version of the game for more than 15 years, coaching stints in Sri Lanka a decade back plus handling the Chinese outfit.

The Men’s head coach will be the former Kingswood, Kandy SC and Navy SC player Nilfer Ibrahim. He is an experienced coach at Isipathana, Kingswood, Trinity and St. Joseph’s while he too handled the juniors and seniors in the past. Meanwhile, the Women’s outfit will be coached by another lad from Central Hills Saliya Kumara. He had his education at Vidyartha and Trinity and playedfor Kandy SC for over a decade. He too handled Trinity and women’s rugby in the past. He will be supported by Malkanthi Ratnayake.

Former Thurstan and Air Force rugby player Subash Jayathilake will be the Team Manager of the Men’s outfit. He played for Thurstan from 1989 to 1991, later representing Air Force for over a decade. (SJ)