Unfinished business. Inside Isipathana’s squad for the 2024 schools rugby season

There is only one target at Isipathana College this year, and everyone connected to the Green Machine knows what it is. The league title. After finishing third last season despite a flawless first round, the hunger to go all the way in 2024 burns stronger than ever. This is a team with a point to prove and a cabinet waiting for another trophy.

Here is a closer look at the squad, the key players, the coaching setup, and what to expect from the boys in green this season.

A legacy that demands excellence

When we talk about schools rugby in Sri Lanka, the Green Machine is always part of the conversation. Over the last ten editions of the Schools Rugby League, Isipathana have lifted the title four times, a record second only to Royal College’s five. The league crowns came in 2012 under Kumendra Dharmadasa, 2014 under Senal Deelaka, 2016 under Kushan Indunil, and most recently in 2022 under Dahan Nithina, when the Greens went through the entire season unbeaten and followed it up with the Knockout championship.

Last year told a frustrating story. The first round was as close to perfect as you can get, with bonus-point wins in all six matches. But when it mattered most in the super round, defeats to Royal College and eventual champions St. Peter’s College left the Greens finishing third. The talent was there. The consistency was there. The finishing touch was not.

That is the gap this year’s squad needs to close.

The squad. Young, fast, and full of belief

This year’s outfit features around six third-year players, split between two in the backs and four in the forwards. As always with Isipathana, the backline is where the fireworks come from. Pace, skill, and the ability to create something out of nothing are trademarks of a Green Machine backline, and this year’s group carries the same DNA.

The forward pack may not match some of the bigger schools for sheer size, but writing them off would be a mistake. Isipathana forwards have always punched above their weight, and this group will be no different.

Players to watch

Nisaja Jayaweera (Captain, Number 8) takes the reins of the Green Machine this season. A powerhouse in the loose forwards, Jayaweera is the kind of player who can smash through defenders from close range and drag his team over the line when it matters most. Leading from the front is what he does best.

Shaahid Zumri (Vice Captain, Fly half) needs little introduction. His golden run through the sevens circuit last year saw him win Player of the Tournament at both the Under 18 and All Island Elite Sevens Championships. The coaching staff have made an intriguing tactical move by shifting Zumri to fly half this season. With his vision, skill set, and ability to control the game, the playmaker role could unlock another level in his game.

Kalindu Silva (Scrum half / Fullback) is the ultimate utility back. Primarily playing at scrum half, Silva has the pace and instinct to slot in at fullback when needed. He is a nippy runner who will back himself to take on defenders from anywhere on the field, and his versatility gives the coaching staff valuable options.

Gesandu Benthotage (Wing) is a name the ICOIC family should remember. The young winger has the potential to fill the boots of the departed Rinesh Silva, and if he delivers on that promise, the Green Machine will have a serious weapon out wide.

Other experienced campaigners like Kenula Mihisara, Kaveen Tharusha, Lasitha Nilupul, and Dinada Thinul add depth and know-how to the squad. Combined with the younger members of the group, there is a healthy blend of experience and raw talent ready to compete.

The coaching team

Former Sri Lanka cap Saliya Kumara enters his third year as head coach, supported by the same backroom staff that has been with him throughout. Assistant coach Danushka Botheju, trainer Hashan Gomes, and physio Shafin Majid complete the setup. This is a coaching team that knows each other, knows the players, and knows what it takes to win at this level. Their first season together delivered the league and knockout double. They will be desperate to replicate that success in what could be a defining year for this group.

What to expect this season

The fixture list is favourable in terms of travel. The Greens head to Kandy just once this year, with the remaining six matches played in Colombo, four of them at their home ground Havelock Park. That home advantage could prove crucial in the tight encounters that decide league titles.

Replicating last year’s perfect first-round points haul will be a tall order, but that is not what this season is about. It is about being there when it counts. The super round. The knockout stages. The crunch moments under pressure. That is where last season fell apart, and that is where this year’s squad needs to step up.

The talent is undeniable. The coaching is proven. The motivation of last year’s near-miss is fuel enough. If the Green Machine can stay grounded, handle the pressure moments, and play to their potential when it matters most, there is no reason Isipathana cannot add a fourteenth league title to the cabinet.

The ICOIC family is ready. Let the season begin.

Full squad

Forwards: Nisaja Jayaweera (Captain), Kaveen Tharusha, Kenula Mihisara, Lasitha Nilupul, Tehan Ranaweera, Sethum Rajapaksha, Thrinethra Dodangoda, Abdul Ahamed, Shaakib Zumri, Kaveen Irosh, Lahiru Sandeepa, Nevith Meunaka, Naveed Thahir, Sanuja Sanuth, Demitha Wijesekara, Lithuka Mansilu

Backs: Shaahid Zumri (Vice Captain), Kalindu Silva, Dinada Thinul, Gesandu Benthotage, Abdullah Faizer, Sithupa Bometh, Avishka Hiran, Samiru Disas, Adithya Madushan, Abdul Azeez, Nimantha Sandeepa, Methupa Bimsath, Kaveed Geethathma, Rizmy Jafrad, Shevin Peiris, Sajith Samsudeen, Thenula Dewnitha