The Sevens season in the United Kingdom is set to finish on a high as the Kenyan 7s team confirm they will compete in the Middlesex Charity 7s at Twickenham on Saturday 14th August. Known for their fanatical supporters and their deadly speed the Kenyans are appearing at the Middlesex 7s for only the second time in its 85 year history.
In what is possibly the strongest sixteen team line up the event has ever seen the Kenyans will face a tough challenge for the coveted Russell Cargill Trophy. They will be up against stars from Ben Ryan’s England squad. Kenya 7's have resumed training as they have a busy season ahead of them under coach Benjamin Ayimba who will be shuttling between his recently launched rugby school and the Kenya 7's.
“The Middlesex Sevens provides a great opportunity for us to get high quality game time in the run up to the Commonwealth Games and we’re delighted to be taking part,” said England Head coach Ben Ryan. Ryan will be able to deploy stars from the IRB World Sevens Series like global record points scorer Ben Gollings and match winning all-rounder Isoa Damudamu. England’s Help for Heroes team run out against Scotland, playing under Thistle Trust and Wales’ Amser Justin Time team in honour of Colin Hillman.
Joe Lydon, who coached Wigan when they won the Middlesex 7s and subsequently England and Wales 7s coach will have split loyalties on the day as he is part of the world famous Samurai touring side’s coaching team that also includes Mike Friday, Phil Greening and Josh Lewsey.
Exeter Chiefs, have their first run out at Twickenham as an Aviva Premiership club and are drawn against HFW Wailers who qualified through this summer’s National 7s Series.
The tournament is played as a straight knockout with the first round losers going into a Plate competition. The first round draw is as follows;
Match 1 (12.30) London Irish v Leicester Tigers
Match 2 (12.50) HFW Wailers v Exeter Chiefs
Match 3 (13.10) London Wasps v Newcastle Falcons
Match 4 (13.30) Saracens v England's Help for Heroes
Match 5 (13.50) The British Army v Scotland's Thistle Trust
Match 6 (14.10) Kenya 7s v Leeds Carnegie
Match 7 (14.30) Wales' Amser Justin Time v Harlequins
Match 8 (14.50 White Hart Marauders v ULR Samurai International
Times : EAT
This year there is a £30,000 prize pot where the competition winner takes £17,500, the runners up £7,500 and the Plate winners £5,000. This should motivate Kenya 7's for some real reward.
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