Lionesses opponents in Dubai revealed

The women’s national rugby sevens team, Kenya Lionesses, have been drawn in Pool A at the Dubai Sevens International Invitational Women’s Category.

They will face off with continental rivals Tunisia as well as South Africa Development and France Development Women who defeated them in the final of the same competition the last time it was held in 2019.

The Lionesses will start their campaign with two matches on Thursday 1 December, playing Tunisia in their opening fixture before taking on South Africa Development before completing their pool campaign against France Development on Friday.

The tournament will be the teams first assignment since taking part in the 2022 World Rugby Challenger Series where they reached the main cup semifinals in the tournament held in Santiago, Chile.

The men's team have a tough pool awaiting them as they were grouped against overall defending champions Australia, heavyweights South Africa and Great Britain in Pool A.

The Damian McGrath currently coached side had a start to forget in the season opening outing in Hong Kong as they finished in last place after losing all five of their encounters against Ireland, Argentina, Canada in the group phase and New Zealand and Uruguay in the playoff place matches.

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Lionesses fixtures in Dubai

Thursday 1 December 2022

v Tunisia | 1.20pm EAT

v South Africa Development | 3.40pm EAT

Friday 2 December 2022

V France Development | 2.00pm EAT

Dubai Sevens International Invitational Women’s Category

POOL A: France Development, Kenya, Tunisia, South Africa Development

POOL B: Japan Development, Australia “A”, Tuks Women, Czech Republic

POOL C: Spain “A”, 7Fantastics, Ireland Invitational, Scion Rugby

Shujaa Fixtures

Kenya vs Australia – 1056EAT

Shujaa vs South Africa – 1420EAT

Shujaa vs Great Britain 1918EAT

Additional reporting by Kenya Rugby Union