With a relatively new set of players and a new coaching set up, it is a transition period for the defending champions Isipathana but the Havelock town school have set their sights on the title this season too.

Blast from the past

Isipathana Rugby may have a history of just 54 years but the ‘Greens’ have carved their name into the history books as one of the most successful teams to grace the sport in the country.

Taking up rugby in only 1963, Isipathana who are also known as the “Green Machine” have the honour of being the most decorated Rugby playing school in the island, having racked up a staggering 66 cup championships in the Under 20 segment alone, the most by any school team in the island.

The school has also produced the highest number of players to the national grid, with more than 60 players going on to represent the “Tuskers”.

Apart from the 7s, Schools League and Knockout Championships, Isipathana plays two annual trophy games against their traditional rivals Thurstan College for the Abdul Jabbar Trophy and against Royal College for the Major Milroy Fernando Trophy.


Last Season

Having lost 11 players from the star studded 2015 outfit many rugby pundits did not consider Isipathana a realistic threat last season but Kushan Indunil and his team defied all odds and proved critics wrong as they emerged unbeaten League and President’s trophy champions.

In addition, the team won the Zahira invitational 7s tournament while Sumudu Rankothge led the team who went on to clinch the inaugural Dialog Super 7s championship.

7 players, namely Kushan Indunil, Gayan Wickramarathne, Vageesha Weerasinghe, Adeesha Weerathunge, Lahiru Wishwajith, Isuru Udayakumara and Harith Bandara went on to represent the Under 20 National team while Sumudu Rankothge, Chamod Fernando and Harith Bandara represented the champion Sri Lanka under 18 team capping off a fine year for the Greens.

Players to watch out for

Sumudu Rankothge will lead the Green Machine for the 2017 season. His center combination with last year’s skipper Kushan Indunil proved to be lethal and many dubbed the duo as the best Center pairing of the decade.

His performance was richly rewarded with a place in the under 18 national 7s team where he was also appointed as the vice-captain.

Playing his 4th year for the Isipathana 1st XV side, it will be interesting to see how Sumudu performs with the added responsibility of leading the team.

Similar to Rankothge, Chamodh Fernando had splendid season last year, scoring many tries while also setting up scoring opportunities for his team mates.

Chamodh who is also a 4th year player, is the vice-captain of the side. Playing as a wing three quarter, his runs proved too hot to handle for many opposition defenders and turned out to be a decisive factor in Isipathana’s title wins last year.