Four more signings have joined the club, R5 - Sam Graham - Centre R6 - Samuel Yates - Number 8 R7 - Mike Martyn - Flanker R8 - David Dafter - Prop
Rugby is becoming more popular than cricket in Sri Lanka. My mates there don't even play cricket anymore. Rugby matches between the public schools are slowly becoming more anticipated matches than the cricket matches. The last time I was there, I'd definitely say that Rugby interest overall > Overall cricket interest. Even the sports section in the newspaper just put a greater effort into Rugby write ups. Interesting transition. We're not really known for being physically imposing people though - it's not really in our genes I guess. So no matter how popular the sport is in the country - we're not going to see an amazing SL rugby side. Out of the countries in the subcontinent I'd say that Sri Lankans are the most passionate about the sport. EDIT: Apologies for the thread hijack Eddie :ninja:
I am aware that at a grassroots level, the highest proportion of population playing (Or was it numbers?) In the world is Sri Lanka. So I'm aware it's very popular.
Not sure myself. Not aware of any official statistics at all as I don't follow the sport. My post was just purely on an observation level from my last visit there. No-one wants to play cricket with me anymore.
For the younger kids growing up, it is definitely becoming the "cooler sport" to play, I'd say. Majority of my younger cousins, for example, want to get into the rugby team rather than the cricket team in their respective schools. They're keener on watching rugby games, their profile pictures are more often rugby players rather than cricket players etc. So you might see the shift becoming even more apparent.
