Rugby: Kenya Simbas up Rugby World Cup qualification preparations

Kenya Simbas players celebrate their victory against Zambia during their Rugby Africa Cup match at the Nyayo national stadium in Nairobi on July 11, 2021.

The national men's fifteens national rugby team, Simbas, have been in residential training for the final Rugby World Cup qualification tournament set to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from November 6.

The 37-man squad has been in camp since Monday and will continue their preparations with an internal training match at the RFUEA Ground on Saturday.

The squad is without Dominic Coulson and Andrew Matoka who will also miss out on the qualifiers due to academic commitments at their respective institutions of learning in England and the USA.

The training match, pitting Team Green against Team Red will kick off at 12.30pm and is open to the public.

The Simbas, who missed out on direct qualification to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France after finishing second in July's Rugby Africa Cup are pitted against the USA, Portugal and Hong Kong in the quest to secure the final ticket to the quadrennial global event.

Saturday's Line Ups
Team Green: Edward Mwaura, Eugene Sifuna, Brian Waraba, Ephraim Oduor, Joseph Odero, Brian Juma, Shem Angugo, George Nyambua, Daniel Sikuta, Bethuel Anami, Samuel Asati,Samson Onsomu, Jone Kubu, Timothy Omela, John Okoth, Bryceson Adaka, Jacob Ojee, Darwin Mukidza Technical Team: Michael Owino, Mike Aung, Lewis Kinyanjui, Gerald Omondi, Fahad Adil

Team Red: Patrick Ouko, Teddy Akala, Melvin Thairu, Davis Chenge, Emmanuel Silungi, Martin Owilah, Ibrahim Ayoo, Brian Ndirangu, Clinton Odihambo, Joshua Weru, Brian Wahinya, Brian Tanga, Amon Wamalwa, Geoffrey Ominde, Beldad Ogeta, Peter Kilonzo, Michael Kimwele, Geoffrey Okwach, Issac Njoroge Technical Team: Paul Odera, Richard Ochieng, Jimmy Mnene, Stephen Mankone