Shujaa head to Bordeaux with Division One status on the line

Shujaa currently sit eighth in the overall standings with 14 points, level with France, who climbed to the same tally after defeating Kenya 14-5 in the seventh-place playoff at the Valladolid Sevens.

Despite the loss, Kenya retained the final top-eight position heading into the season-ending SVNS Championship.

The result in Valladolid reversed the outcome of the Hong Kong Sevens, where Kenya beat France in the seventh-place playoff. That victory helped Shujaa secure a seventh-place finish in Hong Kong and highlighted the closely contested rivalry between the two nations as the season approaches its conclusion.

Kenya started brightly against France and nearly opened the scoring when John Okoth chased down a well-weighted kick, only to overrun the ball as it rolled into touch just inches from the try line.

France quickly capitalised on the let-off through Enahemo Artaud, last season's SVNS Rookie of the Year. Artaud sliced through the Kenyan defence before sprinting over for the opening try, which was converted to give France a 7-0 lead.

He struck again shortly afterwards, finishing off a move from a scrum turnover with another blistering run to extend France's advantage to 14-0 and pile pressure on Kenya.

Shujaa responded before halftime when Samuel Asati's quick tap penalty created space for John Okoth to score Kenya's only try of the match. However, Nygel Amaitsa missed the conversion, leaving the score at 14-5 at the break.

Kenya's hopes of a comeback suffered a major setback early in the second half when debutant Victor Mola was shown a yellow card shortly after entering the field, reducing Shujaa to six men at a crucial stage of the contest.

Despite a spirited defensive effort, Kenya were unable to breach the French defence again, and the match ended 14-5 in France's favour.

Attention now shifts to Bordeaux, where the fate of several teams will be decided. The top eight sides at the end of the SVNS Championship will secure places in SVNS Division One next season, while the bottom four will be relegated to Division Two.