The Kenya Fifteens Rugby Team management has named fifty one players who will report to training on Friday next week ahead of their international friendlies as well as CAR tournament and Elgon cup.

KCB, Strathmore Leos and Nakuru RFC have dominated the fifty one man list which will be trimmed to 35 players after two days of training. According to the team manager Wangila Simiyu, all the players bar those taking part in the Enterprise cup will report to training on Friday where they will undergo trails for two days.

Kabras Sugar who had stellar performance in this season’s Kenya cup have produced four players in the squad while Western Bulls have produced only one player. The management has also retained most players who took part in the last year’s Vodacom cup as well as World cup qualifiers.

According to Wangila, the technical team is planning to make the team as competitive as possible as they seek to rebuild after failing to book a place in this year’s world cup.

“We wanted to make the team very competitive that’s why we have picked players we think have merited their call up, back in Western Kenya there is a huge talent and soon if we develop a good plan for the team, many players would work hard to be included in the national side” Wangila observed.

Wangila also noted they have decided not include any sevens players in the team since most of them have commitments in the IRB sevens series and there after Olympics qualifiers.

“We need to develop a team with no other commitments, Sevens are currently committed to All Africa games, IRB sevens and Olympic qualifiers, it’s only fair they concentrate on those matches and we concentrate on our Test matches as well as CAR cup” He said.

Head coach Jerome Paarwaters has been out of the country since last year and he is expected back in the country on Thursday.

Kenya is set to play Portugal on the 30th of next month at the KRFUEA grounds before proceeding to Zimbabwe for the CAR Cup set for June 13th. On the same day, Kenya A will be playing Uganda in the Elgon cup at RFUEA grounds. Kenya is also set to play Spain in July.

Squad

Props

Moses Amusala (KCB), Giles Littewood (Nakuru), Francis Akatu, (Mwamba ), Joseph Maina (Nakuru), Curtis Lilako (KCB), Isaiah Nyariki (Nakuru), Duncan Mwangi (Kabras), Brian Otieno (Mwamba).

Hookers

Sammy Warui, (Nakuru), Peter Kaaria (KCB), Mugambi Gitumba (Strathmore Leos),

Locks

Wilson Kopondo (Harlequins), Ronnie Mwenesi (Nondies), Davies Makori ( Impala), Emmanuel Mavala ( Homeboyz) Michael Gitau (Strathmore), Oliver Mang’eni (KCB), Martin Owila (Nakuru), George Nyambua (Kabras),

Back Rows

Mike Okombe (Nakuru), Brian Nyikuli (Strathmore), Charles Omondi (Strathmore), Davies Chenge (Western Bulls) Dalmus Chituyi ( Nakuru), Lawrence Buyachi (Nakuru), Max Adaka ( KCB), Joshua Chisanga (Homeboyz),

Scrum halves

Edwin Achayo (Kabras), Lyle Asiligwa (Harlequins), Francis Wayodi (Mwamba), Kelvin Masai (Homeboyz) Roberto Aringo (Impala),

Fly Halves

Ken Andola (Strathmore) Isaac Adimo (Harlequins) Haroun Lubisia (Homeboyz), Brian Beckham (Nondies),

Centres

Nick Barasa ( Kabras), Kelvin Omiyo (Nakuru), Brad Owako (Mwamba), Fabian Olando (KCB), Edwin Okemwa (Nakuru), Dennis Muhanji (Harlequins), Samuel Mutari (Strathmore),

Back Threes

Collins Wanjala (KCB), Allan Omuka (KCB), Alvin Otieno (Homeboyz), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Alex Olaba (Strathmore), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Vincent Mose (Impala), Tony Onyango (Strathmore)

Photo Credit : Old Shaped Balls.