Mercantile Rugby '7s' at the Race Course stadium from July 21-23

Two new sponsors- South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) and Jaguar-Land Rover by SMLFrontier Automotive( Pvt) Ltd have come aboard to power the 47th edition of the Mercantile Rugby '7s' and the 2nd Women's Tag Rugby Tournament 2017, to be held at the Race Course International Rugby Stadium from July 21-23.

This is the first time that the Mercantile Rugby Football Association (MRFA) has shifted from its cradle venue, CR&FC grounds, Longdon Place. The MRFA Committee led by Shanaka Fernando of Informatics, conducting a briefing for the Captains and Secretaries of the respective teams at the CR&FC Pavilion at 6.30 pm, on July 5.

The meeting was presided by MRFA Tournament Committee Chairman Romesh de Livera. The technical aspects and the new IRB rules were explained in detail by 2 Senior Referees from the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Referees, Dinka Peiris and Anil Jayasinghe. The MRFA-appointed Pitch Marshal for the tournament, Dhammika Madagedera, explained the responsibilities of the team Captains.

Entries will close next Wednesday, July 12, with Shanaka Fernando, C/o Informatics (Pvt) Ltd., 106, Reid Avenue Colombo 4, Mahesh Wijenayake, C/o HNB Head Office, 16, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 1 and Mindika Jayasinghe, C/o Sampath Bank PLC, 50, Dudley Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 6. Entry forms could be downloaded via MRA website; www. mrfasrilanka.lk.

The draw for the Groupings will be held on Monday, July 17 at 6 pm at the CR&FC Pavilion. Around 40 teams are expected to participate this year. In the 2016 tournament at CR&FC grounds, where 32 teams participated, Access Group regained the coveted 'Cup' Championship after 16 years, beating Dialog Axiata 'A', while Nation Lanka Finance won the 'Plate', John Keells 'B' won the 'Bowl', Brandix won the 'Shield' and Ceylon Tobacco won the inaugural Women's Tag Rugby tournament.