Toulouse 7s: Shujaa playing times and fixtures

The men’s national rugby 7s side Shujaa will be seeking to hit top gear when they land in France for the Toulouse 7s taking place from 12-14 May as the tournament marks the penultimate round of the 2023 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Placed in Pool A, the Damian McGrath currently coached side will open their campaign with a clash against Uruguay on Friday at 1407EAT before they face current table toppers New Zealand in their second match of the day at 1916EAT.

The team will then finish their pool assignments the next day with a clash against Canada on Saturday at 1421EAT.

Positioned in 13th place on 37 points at the moment, Shujaa, who are yet to make any cup quarter final this season, head into Toulouse with nothing but fighting relegation on their minds.

If Kenya do not finish in the top eleven by the end of the tournament, a relegation playoff competition will await them in the London 7s where four teams will be competing to take the single ticket that will guarantee safety in the Series.

Speaking during the squad naming, McGrath called on them to do the simple things right in the team's bid of avoiding relegation.

"We have picked a very solid and experienced squad. As experienced as we could get. The boys all understand what is at stake and we are just going to play to our best.

The key to it all is if we can we eradicate our mistakes which have been out Achilles heel. We have got a very simple plan that we hope suits what we have and we will follow that," he said.

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How relegation will be determined

Following the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th ranked team will be relegated while the 12th through 14th ranked teams will face off against the Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winner for the 12th and final position on the 2024 Series at HSBC London Sevens.

As it stands, Japan (16 points) hold the lowest ranking among core teams, while Canada (24), Kenya (37), Spain (48) and Uruguay (40) will be fervently trying to accumulate points in Toulouse to avoid relegation and the playoff in London.

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Friday 12th May

Kenya vs Uruguay - 2.07 PM

Kenya vs New Zealand - 7.16 PM

Saturday 13th May

Kenya vs Canada - 1.21 PM

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Toulouse 7s Pools

Pool A: New Zealand, Uruguay, Kenya 7s, Canada

Pool B: Argentina, Great Britain, Spain, Germany

Pool C: Fiji, France, South Africa, USA

Pool D: Samoa, Australia, Japan, Ireland

Shujaa squad

Nelson Oyoo (Captain), Herman Humwa, Edmund Anya, Brian Tanga, Johnstone Olindi, Alvin Otieno, Kevin Wekesa, Jeff Oluoch, John Okoth, George Ooro, Daniel Taabu, Denis Abukuse, Billy Odhiambo, Ronaldo Omondi, Tony Omondi

MANAGEMENT

Damian McGrath (Head Coach), Kevin Wambua (Assistant Ocach), Geoffrey Kimani (S&C Coach), Lamech Francis (Physiotherapist), Erick Ogweno (Team Manager)