McGrath names deep squad ahead of relegation deciders in Toulouse and London

RUGBY McGrath names deep squad ahead of relegation deciders in Toulouse and London

Abigael Wafula 09:45 - 05.05.2023

Kenya are currently placed 13th in the standings.

Kenya Sevens coach Damian McGrath has named a 15-man squad that will salvage Team Kenya in the two remaining crucial legs of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

The Toulouse leg is scheduled for May 12 to 14 and it will be a decider as to whether Kenya will successfully proceed to the final which will be the London leg on May 20 and 21.

Team captain Nelson Oyoo will lead the squad which has also co-captain Herman Humwa. Edmund Anya who is a crucial part of Shujaa has also been named in the squad.

The trio of Brian Tanga, Johnstone Olindi and Alvin Otieno will also be coming back for the Toulouse and London legs. Others in the squad include Kevin Wekesa, Jeffrey Oluoch, John Okoth, George Ooro, Daniel Taabu and Dennis Abukuse. Billy Odhiambo, Ronaldo Omondi and Tony Omondi are also in the mix.

After naming the squad, McGrath said: “Everybody understands the enormity of the situation. Players have displayed an admirable approach to training.”

Kenya are currently placed 13th in the standings and the 15th-ranked core team based on accumulated Series points following the tenth round in Toulouse will be relegated.

The teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th at the end of Toulouse will enter a four-team relegation play-off together with the Challenger Series 2023 winners at the eleventh and final round of the Series in London.

The relegation play-off will be round-robin format with the top two teams then playing a final. The winner will become the 12th core team on the 2024 Series. The other three teams will enter their respective Regional Sevens Championships in order to qualify for the 2024 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.

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