Pools for Kenya U18 National trials released

The pools for the Kenya U18 National trials have been announced ahead of the matches slated for Sunday, September 8, at the RFUEA Grounds, with action starting at 8:00 AM.

Seven regions will participate: Eastern, Rift Valley, Nyanza, Central, Western, Nairobi, Coast, and a Barbarians team, which includes standout players from all regions who narrowly missed the cut.

The teams have been divided into two pools: Pool A consists of Western, Eastern, Nairobi, and Barbarians, while Pool B comprises Rift Valley, Nyanza, Central, and Coast.

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Joseph Guchu, the Kenya U18 Manager, will oversee operations for the day, which will see at least 240 players from these seven regions compete for 60 spots in the 2024 Kenya U18 squad. Head coach Paul Odera emphasized the importance of this event for the future of Kenya rugby.

“The regional U18 festival at the RFUEA Grounds marks an exciting chapter for schoolboy rugby in Kenya. This is the beginning of creating Kenya’s own version of the Craven Week, where the best U18 talent from across the country will compete in high-level matches, and we will select a national team. 240 players will compete for 60 places in the Kenya U18 squad. This is an exciting time for Kenya rugby as we aim to secure the future of Chipu, Shujaa, and the Kenya Simbas,” said Odera.

Kenya U18 trials fixtures

8:00 AM – 8:20 AM: Western vs Barbarians (Pool A)
8:30 AM – 8:50 AM: Eastern vs Nairobi (Pool A)
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM: Rift Valley vs Coast (Pool B)
9:30 AM – 9:50 AM: Nyanza vs Central (Pool B)
10:00 AM – 10:20 AM: Western vs Nairobi (Pool A)
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM: Eastern vs Barbarians (Pool A)
11:00 AM – 11:20 AM: Rift Valley vs Central (Pool B)
11:30 AM – 11:50 AM: Nyanza vs Coast (Pool B)
12:00 PM – 12:20 PM: Western vs Eastern (Pool A)
12:30 PM – 12:50 PM: Nairobi vs Barbarians (Pool A)
1:00 PM – 1:20 PM: Rift Valley vs Nyanza (Pool B)
1:30 PM – 1:50 PM: Central vs Coast (Pool B)
2:10 PM – 2:20 PM: Final: Winner Pool A vs Winner Pool B