Samoa presents first test for Kenya Chipu as World Rugby U20 Trophy gets underway

The junior men’s national rugby 15s side, Kenya Chipu, will be hoping for a positive start when they play their first match in the prestigious World Rugby U20 Trophy that kicks off on Saturday morning at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

The Curtis Olago coached side, who are fresh from finishing in second place behind Zimbabwe during the U20 Barthes Trophy will take on Samoa, who won the U20 Trophy in 2011 and 2016, in their Group B opener.

Kenya’s best performance in the tournament came in 2009 when they first hosted the prestigious event in 2009 as they finished in fourth place back then.

With only the top two teams in the two groups earning tickets to the semifinals, Kenya will be hoping to start the tournament on a high with the aim of sealing the playoff spots.

“We have prepared well for this tournament. We understand the level of the competition that we are playing in, and the caliber of the opponent we are facing but we believe that the boys will play their hearts out before the home fans.

We are aware of the physical threat that Samoa poses but we play to our strengths and take our chances, not only on Saturday but throughout the tournament,” head coach Olago said.

This month’s tournament will be the fourth U20 Trophy in which Samoa have competed and they have reached the final in each of their three previous appearances, losing only in 2018.

Before Kenya faces Samoa in the second match of the day at 1200EAT, Scotland will get the tournament underway against Zimbabwe at 1000EAT.

Scotland will be competing in the U20 Trophy for the first time in their history, having been relegated from the U20 Championship in 2019.

Former champions USA will then lock horns against Uruguay in the other Group A clash at 1400EAT before Spain and Hong Kong China close out the day with the second Group B clash at 1600EAT.

Japan has the best overall record at the World Rugby U20 Trophy, having captured the title three times in the past. Their 2019 win, in the last edition of the tournament, meant the Asian nation was promoted to the World Rugby U20 Championship.

The winner of the U20 Trophy gains promotion to the U20 Championship, while the last-placed team in that tournament is relegated to the U20 Trophy next year.

There have been seven other U20 Trophy champions with Samoa (two) and Italy (two) closely behind Japan. USA, Georgia, Uruguay, Fiji and Romania have each lifted the coveted trophy once.

The U20 Trophy makes its highly anticipated return after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Kenya hosting the tournament for the first time since 2009.

Kenya U20 match day squad v Samoa U20

15.Faran Juma, 14. Alvin Kalori, 13. Mike Wamalwa (Captain), 12. Chacha Masega, 11. Raphael Wanga, 10. Eddy Wambugu, 9. Patrick Wainaina, 1. Geylord Ngasi, 2. Jeremy Odhiambo, 3. Raymond Chacha, 4. Stanslaus Shikoli, 5. Andy Cole Omolo, 6. Laban Kipsang, 7. Iddo Kuta, 8. Jacktone Omondi REPLACEMENTS 16. George Otieno, 17. Wickliffe Ogutu, 18. Mike Oduor, 19. Edmond Omondi, 20. Vincent Omondi, 21. Brian Mwendwa, 22. Spencer Davies, 23. Victor Odhiambo