Rohan Chinthaka, (A.K.A Nana) Manager of the CR team was full of confidence when he spoke with the writer regarding the Clifford Cup Quarter Final to be played at Police Park on Friday 8th August 2008 against Air Force. A side described by Nana as an extremely fit and mobile team that uses the breadth and length of the grounds to their advantage.

Despite an article headlined “CR at full strength for Clifford Cup tourney” in the Sunday Observer dated 3rd August Nana mentioned that several of his key players are injured. Heading the list is Mohamed Sheriff a key playmaker for the red shirts this season. Skipper and Tight Forward Shamil Mohamed, Anuradha Dharmathileke, Kasun De Silva, Ashen Cost, Pavithra Fernando and Nishan De Silva are the others that are on the injured list. Nana stated that these are key players in the CR line up and finding replacements was not going to be easy. However the team is prepared to meet the challenge with its new-look side. Good news for the Red Shirts is the return of Ashean Karthelis and Lasintha De Costa from injury and that star winger and former Peterite Rugby player Rinaz Mohamed back to its fold. The starting line up for the Red Shirts will be as follows.

Dhanushka Boteju, Anuja Perera and Navin Wijethunga  (Front Row), Gayan Fernando and Ashean Karthelis (2nd Row), Dhanushka Perera, Diran Warnakulasuriya and Dushanth Lewke (3rd Row), Suranga Pushpakumara (Scrum Half), Dev Anandh (Fly Half), Niroshan Karunanayake and Kosala Thisera (Centers), Mohamed Jabar and Rinaz Mohamed (Wingers), Riza Mubarak (Full Back).

Nana was confident that the red shirts will pull of a win in this game and will be ready to meet whoever who comes in to the Semi Finals on 16th August 2008. The Red Shirts are taking one step at a time and will go full out to regain the Clifford Cup for the 15th time in its history.