Sri Lanka name 60-player squad for Malaysian encounter

Monday, 24 March 2025 03:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Director General of Sports, who is the competent authority for Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), announced a 60-player national pool for their upcoming international encounter against Malaysia, scheduled for 19 April at the Racecourse Ground under floodlights.

The squad was selected by the National Selection Committee, headed by Sudath Sampath, and all named players have been informed through their respective clubs.

The selected players are required to report to SLR headquarters on 8 April for medical examinations. Any injuries must be reported in advance to ensure the selection process remains smooth and transparent. Following the medical assessments, the squad will commence an intensive training camp in Colombo. Given the tight schedule, players will only have a short break from 13 to 15 April for the New Year festival, before resuming training again on 16 and 17 April.

A majority of the players are from the three leading clubs – namely Kandy SC, CR & FC, and Havies – which consists of 34 players, while the rest are from the six other clubs. Nigel Ratwatte, who retired recently, was not considered for this encounter, while Kandy SC skipper Srinath Sooriyabandara had opted to concentrate on the shorter version of the game for the country. While Sri Lanka is only just beginning their preparation, their opponents, Malaysia, have already begun their training camp. The Malaysian team entered camp recently, giving them a head start in terms of conditioning and strategy. This early preparation could provide them with a crucial advantage as they look to test their strength against the Sri Lankan side.

Sri Lanka’s coaching staff will be keeping a close eye on player fitness and performance during the initial training phase. Following the medical tests, the squad is likely to be trimmed down from 60 to 30 players, with injuries playing a key role in the final selection process soon after the completion of the Clifford Cup final on 6 April. This reduction will allow the coaching team to focus on a smaller, more cohesive unit as they fine-tune their game plan for the Malaysia clash. The upcoming fixture is crucial for Sri Lanka as they look to make a strong statement on the international stage. With limited time for preparation, the players will need to adapt quickly to the training schedule and ensure they are in peak condition for match day. The selection committee, coaches, and support staff will be working closely to identify the best combination of players who can execute the team’s strategy effectively.

The match at the Racecourse Ground promises to be an exciting contest, with Sri Lanka aiming to capitalise on home advantage. However, Malaysia’s early start in preparations could prove to be a significant factor. With both teams eager to showcase their talent and test their strengths, fans can expect a high-intensity clash under Colombo lights.

The winning team in this encounter will play the UAE and South Korea in home games while playing Hong Kong away in Hong Kong in their Asia Rugby Top 4 encounters.

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