CR & FC gunning for league glory
Janidu could be 'next Ranjan' says Ibrahim
CR and FC are going all out for what could be their first Inter-club League Rugby title in 20 years as Nilfer Ibrahim’s Red Shirts begin the season as genuine contenders for league glory.
Led by wing three quarter Kavindu Perera, the Longden Place club secured a pivotal victory in their opening match against arch rivals CH and FC.
“It was indeed a very important win for us because the first game is always a tough game. If you look at the defending champions, even they struggled a bit against Air Force, but when you win the first game that gives an enormous amount of confidence to your side,” head coach Nilfer Ibrahim told the .The
CR backline was strengthened by the signing of full-back Kevin Dixon who has been a regular
member of the Sri Lanka 7’s side.
“We all understand that Kandy have got a very good backline, but now with players like Kevin joining CR, I can say we have probably got the fastest backline to go with a strong pack,” the former Kingswoodian added.
One of the stand-out performers for Royal College during their inter-school title-winning campaign, Janidu
Dilshan was handed his debut by CR, against CH and FC in their league opener last week.
“Generally, when a schoolboy comes in, I would like them to always come off the bench because they lack experience and may be their talent is not good enough for club level, but I was fortunate that I was able to work with him in the Sri Lanka Under-20 squad and when I saw him as a CR and FC player I recognised that he has improved a lot. That was actually why we gave him a place in the starting line-up. He has all the attributes to be the ‘next Danushka Ranjan.’ He was fantastic against CH,” added Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim stated that
this CR and FC side has what it needs to be the champions.
“I watched CR and FC play Navy here in Longden Place last season. Navy got absolutely battered in that match and I remember thinking to myself that this team could be real challengers for title with a few changes. I think we have now got a strong team which could win the title,” Ibrahim revealed.
CR was also able to sign Samoan flanker Joseph Fuimaono who formed a strong third row during their opening match along with Omalka Gunarathne and Joel Perera, while the pack was further strengthened by the arrival of Shehan Dias and Dulanjana Wijesinghe.