Toulouse 7s: Shujaa kickstart tenure under new management in France

The men’s national rugby 7s team, Shujaa, will be hoping to quickly get on with life under new British head coach Damian McGrath and his assistant Kevin Wambua when the team take to the field in the seventh outing of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Circuit set to be held in Toulouse, France from Friday afternoon.

Having replaced the fired Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu, McGrath will be taking charge of the team barely two weeks after being tasked with steering Shujaa for the next two years.

Why Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu was fired as Shujaa head coach

Going into the Toulouse 7s tournament where the team has been grouped in Pool B alongside double Olympics champions Fiji, hosts France and Wales, the new management takes over a team that is low on confidence after uninspiring performances in their last three outings – Singapore, Vancouver and Africa 7s – that saw the team finish in 11th, 15th and a lucky 3rd in Uganda.

While the management will be looking forward to a seamless transition in the team, fans back at he will be looking to see what the Briton who has had successful stints as head coach in Germany, Canada and Samoa has to offer.

Supporters will also be looking to see whether the team can stay clear of making the school boy errors that frustratingly engulfed Namcos' second reign at the national outfit. Shujaa also face the difficult record of failing to get out of the group stage ever since the circuit went back to 16 teams in the third outing held in Malaga, Spain.

Currently, they are in position 10 on the standings having accumulated 37 points in six out of the nine rounds of the 2021/2022 season.

The team will play its first match against Fiji at 1534EAT before closing day one action against the hosts at 2305EAT.

Shujaa Schedule

Friday 20 May

Fiji vs Kenya 1534 EAT

France vs Kenya 2305 EAT

Saturday 21 May

Wales vs Kenya 1512 EAT

Toulouse 7s Groups

Pool A: Argentina, England, Canada, Japan

Pool B: Fiji, France, Wales, Kenya

Pool C: Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, USA

Pool D: Samoa, South Africa, Ireland, Spain

Shujaa Travelling Squad

Nelson Oyoo (Topfry Nakuru, Captain), Herman Humwa (Kenya Harlequin), Alvin Otieno (KCB), Collins Shikoli (Homeboyz), Bush Mwale (Homeboyz), Timothy Mmasi (Masinde Muliro), Tony Omondi (Mwamba), Johnstone Olindi (KCB), Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba), Edmond Anya (Impala Saracens), Augustine Lugonzo (Homeboyz), Archadius Khwesa (Blak Blad, debut), Ben Salem (Nondescripts, debut) Non-Travelling Reserves: Levy Amunga (KCB), Jeffrey Oluoch (Homeboyz), Amon Wamalwa (Homeboyz)