Chipu fired-up for World Under-20 rugby test

Kenya’s rugby under 20 captain Edmond Omondi says the team is in high spirits ahead of their opening match in the World rugby U20 trophy against Uruguay.

Omondi says the team has been adapting well into the Scotland weather with preparations in top gear ahead of their first match.

“The boys are psyched up and ready for the Uruguay game, the preparations have been well; everything has been in order. The support has also been good from our fans back at home and from the fans here in Scotland.”

"Chipu", as they are fondly known, had over three weeks training camp here in Nairobi before jetting out to Scotland and Omondi says this has greatly improved the match fitness of the players. 

“We’ve been preparing for long before we came to Scotland and also most people have been playing right from Floodlight to the Championship, Kenya Cup and also the nationwide league so we are really prepared. We’ve been playing for a long time and we are ready for the tournament ahead.”

The MMUST RFC back row has at the same time urged the Kenyan fans to get behind the boys as they chase history in their fourth appearance in the World U20 trophy tournament.

“I would like to ask all the Kenyans to continue supporting us, your messages of encouragement are really nice; we are really glad that you people are backing us up and we will do our best to bring this (World U20 trophy) back home.”

Head Coach Simon Jawichre has named the 15-man squad that will take on Uruguay with the team boosting with the likes of Andycole Omolo, Iddo Kuta, Patrick Wainaina, Faran Juma, Michael Wamalwa and James Olela who all made the team that played in last year’s World Rugby Junior Trophy.

Kenya will take on Uruguay at 4:30pm. They will then take on Netherlands and USA on 7th and 12th July to complete their Pool B matches.

The winner of this tournament qualifies for the 2025 World Rugby Junior Championship.