S. OchiengUK based Davies among six debutants as Chipu name final squad for World Rugby U20 Trophy
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 05.07.23. | 13:35
The tournament will is slated for 15-30 July in Nairobi
Curtis Olago, head coach of the men’s junior national rugby 15s side, Kenya Chipu, has revealed the final squad that will represent the country at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament set to take place in Nairobi from 15-30 July.
In the 28 man squad named on Wednesday morning, UK based Spencer Davies headlines six youngsters handed their debuts in the prestigious eight team global tournament.
The 19 year old flyhalf, who played for Kenya in the U13 side, will be joined by Vincent Omondi (second row), Andycole Omollo (second row), Nathan Tsindoli (backrow), Alvin Kalori (centre) and James Olela (back)
Introducing the Kenya U20 squad that will be in action at the World Rugby U20 Trophy from 15th to 30th July at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.#WorldRugbyU20s #LetsGoChipu pic.twitter.com/t9LlM2Mxb3
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) July 5, 2023
Kenya Harlequin lock Laban Kipsang will once again captain the squad after his leadership duties at the 2023 U20 Barthes Trophy back in April.
Chipu are in Group B together with Hong Kong China, Samoa and Spain while Group A will feature USA, Zimbabwe Uruguay and Scotland.
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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.
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.
Final Squad
Raymond Chacha (Strathmore Leos), Brian Makaya (Mean Machine), Vincent Ochieng (Kenya Harlequin), George Otieno (Shamas), Mike Oduor (Daystar Falcons), Michael Wamalwa (KCB), Jeremy Odhiambo (Catholic Monks), Geylord Ngasi (Daystar Falcons), Wickliffe Otieno (Daystar Falcons), Victor Odhiambo(Strathmore Leos), Andycole Omolo (Masinde Muliro), Dennis Kisingú ( Strathmore Leos), Nathan Tsindoli (Daystar Falcons), Laban Kipsang (Kenya Harlequin), Jacktone Omondi (Kabras Sugar), James Tsinalo Asanga (Menengai Oilers), Iddo Kuto (Kenya Harlequin), Stanslaus Shikoli (Strathmore Leos), Spencer Davis (Bryanston School, England), James Olela (Kabras Sugar), Brian Mwendwa (Strathmore Leos), Faran Juma (Kenya Harlequin), Zephenes Obwanga (Catholic Monks), Felix Chacha (Mwamba), Eddy Wambugu (Daystar Falcons), Raphael Wanga (Strathmore Leos), Patrick Wainaina (Kenya Harlequin), Alvin Kalori (Kisumu)
MANAGEMENT: Curtis Aluoch (Head Coach), Richmond Barasa (Assistant Coach), Benjamin Ojema ( Assistant Coach), William Motto (Assistant Coach), Peter Mutai (Team Manager), Samuel Ochieng ( Physio)
