Kenya names training squad Rugby World Cup qualifier

Kenya rugby 15's team head Paul Odera has named a 38-man provisional squad to prepare for the final qualification ticket for the World Cup to take place in Dubai from 6th to 18th November.

Odera named youngster Amon Wamalwa who produced a magnificent performance in the National Sevens Circuit where he finished as the top try scorer.

Wamalwa has been named alongside KCB’s backrow Geoffrey Okwach who was also excellent in the circuit.

It will be a particularly emotional second chance for Wamalwa to play rugby again after undergoing a successful heart surgery following a condition discovered just before making his debut for Kenya U-20 at the Barthes Cup last year.

Veteran Collins Injera is expected to bring experience and leadership in the team alongside Kabras and KCB RFC skippers Dan Sikuta and Jacob Ojee.

Kenya will face Hong Kong, USA and Portugal in a round-robin tournament that will see the winner at the end of the tournament qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023 and join Pool C

Simba missed out on a direct ticket to the World Cup after losing the final of the Africa Cup to Namibia.

SQUAD:

Forwards: Edward Mwaura (Menengai Oilers), Melvin Thairu (Kenya Harlequin), Andrew Siminyu (University of Johanesburg), Eugene Sifuna (Kabras Sugar), Teddy Akala (Kabras Sugar), Brian Waraba (Kenya Harlequin), Patrick Ouko (KCB), Ephraim Oduor (Kabras Sugar), Joseph Odero (Kabras Sugar), Davis Chenge (KCB),Malcolm Onsando (CS Dinamo Bucaresti, Romania),Thomas Okeyo (University of Johannesburg), Brian Juma (Kabras Sugar), Shem Joseph (Kabras Sugar), George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar), Bethuel Anami (Strathmore Leos), Daniel Sikuta (Kabras Sugar), Martin Owilah (KCB), Clinton Odhiambo (Menengai Oilers), Brian Ndirangu (Menengai Oilers)

Backs: Samuel Asati (KCB), Brian Wahinya (KCB), Brian Tanga (Kabras Sugar), Jone Kubu (Kabras Sugar), Beldad geta (Menengai Oilers), John Okoth (Menengai Oilers), Timothy Okwemba (Menengai Oilers), Collins Injera (Mwamba), Vincent Onyala (KCB), Bryceson Adaka (Kabras Sugar), Peter Kilonzo (KCB), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Geoffrey Ominde (Menengai Oilers), Amon Wamalwa (Homeboyz), Geoffrey Okwach (KCB), Andrew Matoka (Principia College, USA), Dominic Coulson (University of Exeter, England)