Shogun Rugby head coach Mike Friday has announced his 12-man squad for the 2024 Safari 7s, which will take place at Machakos Stadium.
This marks Friday’s return to the Safari 7s since his last appearance in 2015. The squad includes a strong South African quartet, with Noegh Hayward, who was part of the Blitzboks squad for the Vancouver 7s, University of the Western Cape student Jean Jacques Van Schalkwyk, Mervano Da Silva, and Peter Williams all making the cut.
France is represented by Alexandre Odinga, who plays for Agen Rugby, and Cyril Corno. The team also features Spain’s Angel Bozal and Noah Canepa, as well as England’s Willy Hendy.
Decan Mulcahy from Australia, Cole Swannack from Wales, and Nikolai Gilev from Russia complete the international roster.
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The Shogun technical bench is led by Englishmen Terry Sands, the team founder, with Mike Friday serving as head coach and Simon Hunt as assistant coach.
The management team includes Kenyan trio Alphonce Mwachia (Manager), Fahad Ali (Operations), and George Odhiambo (Physio), along with Saran Wyburn, another physiotherapist.
Shogun Rugby, formerly known as Samurai, will be seeking their first title since 2018. In last year’s edition, they were defeated 19-0 by Shujaa in the final at the RFUEA Grounds.
Shogun Rugby 2024 Safari 7s Squad:
- Alexandre Odinga (France)
- Angel Bozal (Spain)
- Jean Jacques Van Schalkwyk (South Africa)
- Mervano Da Silva (South Africa)
- Peter Williams (South Africa)
- Noegh Hayward (South Africa)
- Willy Hendy (England)
- Decan Mulcahy (Australia)
- Noah Canepa (Spain)
- Cole Swannack (Wales)
- Cyril Corno (France)
- Nikolai Gilev (Russia)
Technical Bench:
- Terry Sands – Team Founder
- Mike Friday – Head Coach
- Simon Hunt – Assistant Coach
- Alphonce Mwachia – Manager
- Fahad Ali – Operations
- George Odhiambo – Physio
- Saran Wyburn – Physio
