The Kenya Rugby Union is set to conduct trials for the national 15s team, Kenya Simba to kick-start preparation for Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifiers.
Kenya 15s will take part in the 2017 Africa Cup 1A that has Uganda, Namibia, Senegal, Zimbabwe and Tunisia with the qualifiers for the global showpiece set for 2018.
Up to 60 players have been invited for the trials to be held at RFUEA grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, Feb 4, 2017 with the technical bench set to trim the squad to 40 in latter stages.
Among those invited are KCB’s Oscar Simiyu, Peter Karia, George Asin, Curtis Lilako, Davis Chenge and Oliver Mang’eni with the likes of Coleman Were and Henry Ayah from Nakuru also making the list.
Nondescripts centre Biko Adema has also been invited as he is no longer with the Kenya Sevens. He was not offered a new contract by Kenya 7s for the 2016/2017 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Those who played for the Simbas in 2016 and have been invited include Peter Karia, Simon Muniafu, Eric Kerre, Brian Nyikuli(captain), Max Adaka, Martin Owila, Samson Onsomu, Kelvin Masai, Lyle Asiligwa, Nato Simiyu, Isaac Adimo, David Ambunya, Tony Onyango and darwin Mukidza.
Team manager Simiyu Wangila said they however expect Joshua Chisanga, who plays for England based Newcastle Falcons, will be available during the international season set to kick-off in June.
Kenya 15s will kick-off the continental matches against Uganda in Nairobi on Saturday June 24 before hosting Tunisia the following weekend.
The Jerome Paarwater coached side will then play home to Senegal before starting the away matches on July 22nd against Zimbabwe followed by Namibia.
Invited squad
Forwards:
Oscar Simiyu (KCB), Anthony Orege (Resolution Impala Saracens), Joseph Odero (Kabras Sugar), James Kubasu (Resolution Impala Saracens), Curtis Lilako (KCB), Philip Ikambili (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Peter Karia (KCB), Coleman Were (Top Fry Nakuru), George Asin (KCB), Frank Khalwale (SportPesa Quins), Dennis Karani (Resolution Impala Saracens), Hillary Mwanjilwa (Kabras Sugar), Luka Omoti (Strathmore Leos), Bramwell Mayaka (Menengai Cream Homeboyz),
Simon Muniafu (Resolution Impala Saracens), George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar), Davis Makori (Resolution Impala Saracens), Emmanuel Mavala (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Andrew Chogo (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Eric Kerre (Resolution Impala Saracens), Roxy Suchi (SportPesa Quins), Victor Odera (SportPesa Quins), Oliver Mang’eni (KCB), Peter Misango (SportPesa Quins), Davis Chenge (KCB), Brian Nyikuli (Strathmore Leos), Paul Mutsami (Resolution Impala Saracens),
Tyson Okoth (Resolution Impala Saracens), Herman Humwa (SportPesa Quins), Elkeans Musonye (Strathmore Leos),Max Adaka (Kabras Sugar), Martin Owila (KCB), Gabriel Adero (Strathmore Leos), Steve Otieno (Menengai Cream Homeboyz)
Backs: Samson Onsomu (Resolution Impala Saracens), Kelvin Masai (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Lyle Asiligwa (SportPesa Quins), Shaban Ahmed (KCB), Nato Simiyu (Resolution Impala Saracens), Henry Ayah (Top Fry Nakuru), Isaac Adimo (SportPesa Quins, Biko Adema (Nondescripts), Kevin Keegan (SportPesa Quins), Ian Lumwaji (Strathmore Leos),
Nick Barasa (Kabras Sugar), Jeff Oluoch (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Max Kang’eri (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), David Ambunya (SportPesa Quins), Peter Kilonzo (KCB), Benjamin Marshall (Nondescripts), Greg Odhiambo (Mwamba), Alex Olaba (Strathmore Leos), Churchill Ooko (Strathmore Leos), Dennis Muhanji (SportPesa Quins),
Collins Wanjala (KCB), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Enock Makinga (Nondescripts), Moses Begi (Blak Blad), Tony Onyango (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Felix Ayange (Kabras Sugar)
