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Two highly successful young coaching staff Dushantha Lewke (Head Coach) and Mohamed Mushtaq (Assistant Coach) were appointed for the Asia Rugby Championship Under-19 event which will take place in Taipei during December 2018.
Defending champions, Hong Kong, Taipei, South Korea and Sri Lanka will lock horns in the group encounters with the winner booking their berth for the 2019 junior World Rugby Tournament (JWRT) for Division I Asian Zone qualifications.
Former Royal College, CR & FC and Kandy SC player, and current Royal head coach, had a successful season with the Reid Avenue outfit. He was under veteran Sanath Martis for several seasons before taking over the coaching duties at Royal.
Meanwhile, his deputy Mushtaq needs no introduction into rugby. He represented Zahira and CR & FC being a sevens specialist represented the country in many tournaments. Mushtaq also handled the Under-18 sevens outfit at the Hong Kong event 2 years back. Currently, 37 players are under training in Colombo a squad of 25 will be selected by end of this month.
Hong Kong is the defending champions in the Under-19 league for a long time with Sri Lanka ending as second best unable to proceed any further at the World event. (SJ)
December 12
Hong Kong vs South Korea
Sri Lanka vs Taipei
December 15
Sri Lanka vs South Korea
Taipei vs Hong Kong
December 18
Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
Taipei vs South Korea