Sri Lanka holds on to its world rugby ranking of 51 after the completion of the Asian Five Nations tournament, in Dubai.

According to the IRB official website, Sri Lanka holds on to 51st position thanks to their resounding win against Thailand, which came after a defeat at the hands of Chinese Taipei in their opening match of the tournament.

The Lankans drilled holes in the Thai defense at will and recorded a score of 51 points to 17.

"The golden aim was to retain the number 51 spot in world ranking. Sri Lanka showed it was capable of finishing stronger and placed higher in the rankings," John Carrington, who accompanied the Sri Lankan team as coach, to Dubai, told The Island.

Carrington commenting on the team’s impressive win in the second match said, "The Thailand match was a real basket of fruit. The boys showed the desire and pride to win," he said. Sri Lanka contested the Division 1 tournament and made the line-up of teams along with Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Arabian Gulf, the eventual winner. Sri Lanka finished third in the group behind Arabian Gulf and Chinese Taipei.

Carrington heaped praise on the team for embarking on the tour at a time of great turmoil and drama in the rugby sphere at home. Sri Lanka had to compile a virtual second string side to tour Dubai following the pullout of at least 15 regulars from the national side, over a dispute, regarding the captaincy.

He said he was impressed with the leadership qualities of skipper Pavithra Fernando during the tour of Dubai.

Carrington is in Sri Lanka to coach CR&FC and obliged to accompany the team to Dubai, as coach, when the post of national rugby coach fell vacant following the resignation of George Simpkins.

According to the IRB website, Arabian Gulf moved up four places and finished with a world ranking of 45 after beating Chinese Taipei 44-24 in the Division 1 final.

Chinese Taipei, like Sri Lanka, retained its original world ranking of 50 while Thailand slid seven places and is now placed at 69th position.