Sri Lanka, led by Ashean Karthelis, will be pitted against Japan and Thailand at the up-coming Shanghai Sevens which is scheduled to take place at the Shanghai Rugby Football Club on September 12 and 13 in China.

The national selectors appointed CR&FC skipper Karthelis as the skipper of a 12 member national sevens team. According to informed sources, the selections made by the national rugby selectors regarding the sevens squad have been ratified by the sports minister.

National sevens rugby coach Ronnie Ibrahim told ‘The Island’ that the players were put through a vigorous training schedule during the short time frame which was available for preparations.

"There was little time for preparations, but I believe Sri Lanka can do something at the tournament," said Ibrahim.

Ibrahin said that his game plan for the two day tournament was to play attacking rugby.

Sri Lanka will be minus some of their best sevens rugby players who are serving a two year ban imposed on them by the Rugby Interim Committee.

The squad left for China in the wee hours today.

The Shanghai Sevens is sanctioned by the International Rugby Board, China Rugby Football Union and Asian Rugby Football Union. The tournament also serves as the first stop in the newly introduced Asian Rugby Sevens Series.