Kenya 15s ready for Spanish in World Rugby Test

Kenya is set to host Spain in a World Rugby Test rugby 15s clash in Nairobi on July 18, the national governing body announced Tuesday.

Currently ranked 20th on the world ranking, Spain's Los Leones come into the encounter off the back of a 20-3 win over another African side, Namibia, in a Four Nations tournament played on June 21 in Bucharest, Romania.

This is Los Leones' first African visit since 2012 when they defeated the same side who are the reigning African champions 38-37 in Windhoek, Namibia.

Coached by Santiago Santos who played for the side between 1982 and 1992, the Los Leones have in their ranks seasoned players such as fly half Pierre-Emmanuel Garcia, who has had stints at leading French clubs Castres and Clermont Auvergne.

Hard running Jaime Nava, who is the skipper of the side, and fullback Sergi Aubannell are the others in the Spanish side expected to light up the stage.

Also this will be the first ever test match between the two sides, despite the two teams have met severally in the sevens version of the game that promises to be an exciting encounter.

Kenya blanked another European side Portugal 41-15 in another World Rugby Test in May, before they got their African Rugby Championships on a losing note when they went down 20-28 to Zimbabwe.

The Kenyan team, christened Simbas, will be using the Spanish test to prepare for their second continental clash against Namibia next month. Endi