Experienced inside centre Tarinda Ratwatte has been confirmed as captain of the Sri Lanka ‘Tuskers’, ahead of the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025, which is scheduled to kick off against Korea at Racecourse Grounds, Colombo this Friday (13).
According to informed sources, the Kandy SC place-kicker has been handed over the skipper’s armband, after his club colleague and close relative Nigel Ratwatte was sidelined after being stricken with chikungunya.
Sources close to selectors revealed that the seasoned Kandy SC fly-half has been ordered by his doctors to recuperate for close to six weeks which in effect rules him out of the entire championship.
In Nigel Ratwatte’s absence, the island nation’s campaign will be led by the versatile outside back Tarinda, who will have his full complement of seniors, to front up to the latest challenge posed by the Koreans.
Sri Lanka qualified for the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025 Top 4 under Nigel Ratwatte’s leadership, when they crushed Malaysia 59-19 in Colombo last April and he also led the Tuskers in the first Test against the New Zealand Under-85 kg team at Nittawela, early last month.
However, a long-term injury had resurfaced prompting him to sit out the second and final Test against the NZ Under-85 kg team in Colombo in May, after which his involvement with the national team has since been curtailed, due to his current illness.
Sources added that the matchday 23 for the ‘Tuskers’ will only be finalised tomorrow (11), following a few more practice sessions, to assess the squad’s fitness and injuries ahead of the crucial clash. The championship also doubles up as 2027 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers for Australia for a second team from the Asian region.
Japan, the continent’s premier rugby nation, have automatically booked their place in the showpiece tournament, by virtue of finishing top three in their pool at the previous edition held in France 2023.
Following the fixture on Friday, the Lankans coached by New Zealander Rodney Gibbs, will head to Hong Kong to tackle the home team on 21 June and then return home to host the UAE in their final encounter on 4 July also at Racecourse Grounds, Colombo.
(JK)
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