KANDY face tough competition in title defence

Kandy Sports Club could possibly be facing their toughest season since regaining the Dialog Inter-club League Rugby title in 2015 as two of their major rivals have emerged as serious contenders to win the most prestigious club competition in Sri Lanka.

CH and FC have signed a host of local players in an attempt to land their first league title in 20 years while CR and FC in addition to some brilliant national players, are allowed to field one foreign player which makes it slightly difficult for Kandy. Richard Dharmapala’s team also has to cope without the greatest player ever to have represented the club, in Fazil Marija who retired at the end of last season. The team from the Hill Capital has found a capable as well as an experienced fly-half in the shape of Nigel Ratwatte, but replacing someone like Fazil Marija is almost impossible. Take nothing away from Ratwatte who is a very good player, but Marija is a game changer and the creativity he brought into the side was invaluable.

In their opening match, Kandy fielded a very young front row which could be a problematic area for the reigning champi ons, while scrum-half Heshan Jansen was a surprising inclusion in the starting XV. However, head coach Sean Wijesinghe bringing in more experienced Roshan Weeraratne in place of the young man is an indication that the former Kingswood half-back is still not ready for the highest level of domestic club rugby.

The defending champions however, could only be strengthened as the season goes by with the injured duo, wing three quarter Anurudda Wilwara and centre Gayan Weeraratne, both expected to play a role at some point this season.

Kandy’s devastating backline will remain as their strength, but in order to defend the title, their forwards will have to work their socks off. Captain Dharmapala however, believes that he has a balanced side. “Our forwards and backs are in good shape and they are ready to go on and perform to their best ability. I think we have a well balanced squad and I am sure we are a step ahead from where we were last season. We have also got a few players from Kingswood, Maliyadeva and Dharmaraja and they are also in good form,” the former Science College captain told the