S. OchiengKenya Chipu to unveil World Rugby U20 Trophy squad on Wednesday
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 04.07.23. | 15:01
Chipu are in Group B together with Hong Kong China, Samoa and Spain in the eight team global tournament.
Curtis Olago, head coach of the men’s junior national rugby side, Kenya Chipu, will on Wednesday unveil the squad that will represent the country at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament set to take place in Nairobi from 15-30 July.
Chipu are in Group B together with Hong Kong China, Samoa and Spain for the eight team World Rugby U20 Trophy which will be taking place at the Nyayo National Stadium.
“The team’s technical bench led by Head Coach Curtis Olago will name the final 28 man squad to the tournament on Wednesday 5 July 2023 at The Press Center in the Main Stadium at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani,” Kenya Rugby Union announced.
🕙1️⃣1️⃣ days and counting until Nairobi comes alive with the best of young rugby talent ready to showcase their skills at the Nyayo National Stadium from 15th to 30th July.
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) July 4, 2023
Keep it here for more details including ticketing, pools and match schedules.#WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/k6m19O8OZx
Preparations for World Rugby U20 Trophy are in top gear as Kenya readies to welcome the world for the international show piece where 8 teams have been confirmed to participate.
The participating teams are: Scotland (relegated from the U20 Championship in 2019), Kenya (hosts), Hong Kong (Asia), Samoa (Oceania), Spain (Europe), Uruguay (South America), Zimbabwe (Africa) and USA (North America).
It is the second time Kenya are hosting the U20 Trophy, having done so in 2009 when the tournament was known as the Junior World Rugby Trophy.
Kenya finished that tournament in fourth place after a 19-17 third-place play-off defeat to Chile, which remains their best U20 Trophy finish to date.
“We want to get things up. We want to turn back to our winning ways. With under 20, we have confidence in the future of rugby and this tournament is just the beginning. We are ambitious and have no doubts that our boys will do well in the tournament,” KRU chairman Alexander ‘Sasha’ Mutai added.
Besides the silverware, the eight competing teams will also be playing for a spot in the World Rugby U20 Championship next year in South Africa.
The winners will be promoted to the U20 Championship replacing the team that finishes bottom in that competition (24 June - 14 July, South Africa) who will drop down to the U20 Trophy in 2024.
Regular fans will be charged Ksh 300, the VIP(Ksh 1,000) to watch the tournament while students presenting their National ID’s and are in School Uniforms will gain a free entry.
