National rugby coaching teams named ahead of NZ U85kg series
March 11, 2026 10:42 am
Sri Lanka Rugby announced all of its national coaching teams for 2026, covering 15s and 7s for men and Women.
The Sri Lankan national teams itinerary includes the men’s XVs hosting the NZ U85kg before they compete in the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship XVs, while in the 7s, the sides should be competing in the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series two legs (including the second leg being hosted in Colombo), with the teams set to compete in the Asian Games in Japan still to be confirmed.
Sri Lanka Rugby National Coaching Teams 2026
Former national team captain Dushantha Lewke was announced as the head Coach of the national XV’s team, with former Sri Lankan national player Shamly Nawaz and Leonard de Zilwa appointed as the Head Coaches of the National Men’s 7s and National Women’s sides, respectively.
In 2025, Sanath Martis coached the Men’s XV against NZ U85kg, but then quit, so a temporary replacement was brought in from overseas.
Lewke also served as the Forwards Coach of the team in the Asia Rugby Men’s Championships last year, the first time in many years the Tuskers played at the highest level. Domestically, he coached CR & FC to a historic League and Clifford Cup “Double Crown” this season.
Henry Terrance will assist him as the Forwards Coach of the side (current CH & FC Forwards Coach), and Lasintha de Costa, a former Isipathana player & Head Coach, who has also coached Dharmaraja College and was the Backs Coach for CR&FC. He is currently the 1st XV Assistant Coach (backs) for S. Thomas’ College.
Leonard de Zilwa has been named the Women’s Head Coach (we assume both 7s and 15s, although there hasn’t been a national SL Women’s XV side we know of for some years). He is a former Peterite and Sri Lankan (both XVs and 7s) player. He was Assistant Coach for the Sri Lanka Men’s National 7s team between 2008 to 2012 and had some involvement with the Nepal National Rugby team.
On the Sevens side, former Isipathana, Sri Lankan and CR & FC player Shamly Nawaz has also been Head Coach of the Sri Lanka Under-20 Sevens teams (Boys’ and Girls’) and the Women’s national team Coach. The Sri Lankan men had a fantastic return to the top tier of Asian 7s rugby last season.
Source: rugbyasia247
--Agencies
