Kenya rugby Sevens team to seeks IRB top scores in London

Kenya's Collins Injera runs with the ball during a HSBC Paris Sevens Series rugby match between Kenya and Portugal at the Stade Jean Bouin in Paris on May 13, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / THOMAS SAMSON

After many years of trying, Kenya Sevens rugby team is ready to make history in the International Rugby Board circles.

When they get down to business in the final round of the 2015/2016 World Sevens Series at Twickenham Stadium today for the London leg of World Sevens Series, millions will be watching.

Save for the Rio Olympics pooling that will be decided based on World Series standings over the past two years, there is more at stake for the Kenyan side — and it is all written on the faces of expectant Kenyans too.

Kenya are currently seventh on the overall standings with 95 points and are favourites in Pool C, which has France, Scotland and Portugal.

Kenya reached 99 points, their highest ever in the 2012-2013 season, as they finished in a commendable fifth place under former coach Mike Friday.

And as the team aims for the three-digit points mark, assistant captain Collins Injera will target Santiago Gomez's all-time record of 230 tries. The Mwamba RFC speedstar is just three tries short of the Argentinian's record, which has stood since 2009.

Kenya will start their campaign today (11.52am) with a clash against Portugal, then face Scotland at 2.58 pm. The Singapore leg champions will then wrap up their preliminary round fixtures against an unpredictable France at 6.04pm. 

Although Kenya is considered as Group C favourites, head coach Benjamin Ayimba is wary of the threat posed by their opponents.

"We've seen just how difficult world rugby is; there is no easy team. France played very well last weekend and finished third overall. We expect very stiff competition from them," said Ayimba.

"Scotland have been misfiring, but they have improved very much."