Eric Miller resigns as Trinity’s rugby director

By Shamseer Jaleel

 Trinity College’s Old Boys and followers were shocked to hear that the former Ireland Test player Eric Miller resigned from his post as the Director of Trinity rugby with effect from 6 May. 

Miller’s services were acquired by the controlling body of Trinity’s rugby, ‘Scrummage’, headed by former Trinity, CH&FC and Sri Lanka Centre, Rohan Abeykoon. Miller decided to leave on a mutual agreement with the school’s authorities.

Miller took over from Neil Footie, who had a successful stint with Trinity during which he helped the school secure possession of the Bradby Shield for four years. Last year Miller guided Trinity to a third place finish and saw them lose to Royal in both legs of the Bradby. This year too, although Trinity had a good side which had previously won in the Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 age divisions against Royal, they fell short in the first leg of the 72nd Bradby played in Colombo.

Trinity Principal Andrew Fowler-Watt, in a press release said: “I am sad to announce that Eric Miller is no longer the Director of Rugby at Trinity. I would like to thank Eric for all that he has done for Trinity during his stint with Trinity. I am also delighted that Sean Wijesinghe will be the Interim Head Coach for the rest of the season. Saliya Kumara will assist Sean with the coaching of the three quarters.”

Sean Wijesinghe, the former Trinity Number 8 and flanker who represented Trinity and later on went to represent Kandy and Sri Lanka. He led both the Up Country outfit plus the national XV-a-side team at the Asian Five Nations rugby tournament. After hanging up his boots he started his stint as the Assistant Coach of Kandy under Johan Taylor. This year he was appointed as the Kandy Coach and remained unbeaten the whole season in the inter-club league and Clifford cup tournament. 

The former Trinity fullback Saliya Kumara will look after the three quarter line which is the strength of this year’s outfit. 

Though this resignation comes at an important time it has been a smooth coaching transition, with the team in the safe hands of two Old Boys Sean and Saliya, both of whom have proven track records.