Round of 16 starts on February 8

Kabras Sugar's Fijian fullback Jona Kubu in action against Kisumu RFC. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has released its first-round draw for 2019-2020 Enterprise and Mwamba Cup.

The two competitions will kick off on February 8 with the round of the 16 matches scheduled to go on in different venues across the country.

However, there will be no byes this season unlike last season as all the 12 Kenya Cup sides will be joined by four KRU Championship sides; Strathmore, Mean Machine, MMUST and Catholic Monks in the Enterprise Cup.

Last season’s competition saw 16 teams take part in the competition; eight from Kenya Cup and eight from the championship where a number of teams pulled out citing financial constraints.

This year’s fixtures will go hand in hand with Kenya Cup matches, just like last season where defending champions Kabras will launch their title defence against Oilers at Kakamega Showground. Kabras, who are also Mwamba Cup defending champions, will also host championship side Northern Suburbs in the Mwamba Cup round of 16 leg in Kakamega.

Reacting to the draw, Kabras head coach Henley Du Plessis said they are focused on winning the titles saying they will play the cup competitions with the same strategy they employed during the Kenya Cup.

“We are ready for the matches. This year is no difference to last season and our focus remains the same, to win every single title,” said the South African.

Last year’s semi-finalists and former winners KCB will tackle former Kenya Cup side and championship leaders, Strathmore Leos, at the Lion Den as 2019 runners up Impala, who have been in the finals for the last two editions, welcome Mean Machine.

Championship side Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST RFC) will be seeking to extend their good form when they visit Nondescripts.

Struggling Kenya Harlequins who are one point above the relegation zone in the Kenya Cup face Homeboyz as Blak Blad meet Western Bulls and Kisumu RFC duck it out with Mwamba in Nairobi.

Meanwhile, Erick Shirley Shield side Kabras II will also kick off their Mwamba Cup title defence against championship newbies Northern Suburbs as KCB II face Administration Police Warriors.

Other fixtures will see Mwamba II will face Daystar Falcons as Impala II entertain Swara. Homeboyz slugs it out with Oilers as Quins II play Shamas.

Kabras defeated Impala 37-7 in the finals staged at RFUEA Grounds to win the Enterprise Cup last season as their second-string Kabras Sugar II saw off Strathmore Leos 40-27 to win the Mwamba Cup.