Buoyant Kenya rugby team ready to conquer Paris in World Series

Kenya seek to end the rugby Sevens World Series on a high note as they departed for Paris and London, the final two stops in the nine leg circuit.

Kenyan players Sammy Oliech and Darwin Mukidza have expressed their optimism ahead of the final rounds.

"We are looking to finish on a high, get whatever points we can get, hopefully play in the cup semifinals onwards," Oliech said on Tuesday prior to the team's departure from Nairobi.

With just two rounds remaining on the series, South Africa lead the standing with 157 points followed by Fiji 132, England 130, New Zealand (110) in fourth while giants Australia (94) are just outside the race for a top four finish, with the side currently in sixth position behind the USA (101 points). Kenya have 57 points in 11 position, their worst in the last five seasons.

The Pool draw for the Paris Sevens Canada as the top seeds after winning the eighth round of the series in Singapore.

The Canadians are drawn in Pool A with series leaders South Africa, Scotland and Japan. Pool B features Singapore, runners-up USA who are drawn alongside New Zealand, Wales and Argentina.

England, who are third in the series standings, are in Pool C with Kenya, France and invitational side Spain, who were recent series qualifier winners in Hong Kong. Australia top Pool D and will face Fiji, Samoa and Russia on day one in Paris.

Kenya's Mukidza is returning for the first time since the opening rounds in Dubai and Cape Town and wants to make amends for missed opportunities.

"It feels great to be back. It is going to be a real test for me...I expected to go and perform well."

Kenya will start their Paris Sevens fixtures with a Pool C clash against hosts France on Saturday before facing Spain and finish off their group matches against England. Endit