Uganda Rugby team to face French Army ahead of Commonwealth Games

KAMPALA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Uganda Rugby team will face the French Army rugby side on March 2 at the Kyadondo Rugby ground, Kampala.

Ramzy Olinga, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) told Xinhua on Monday morning that the game will help the national 7s team prepare before they head to Hong Kong for a series of qualifiers and later the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

"This is a good opportunity because the French Army have a strong rugby team and this match will be played to celebrate the French week," added Olinga. Besides the build-up, the union will also have a 7s tournament the same day to attract about 10 teams.

Alfred Onek, the French Embassy Public Relations Officer confirmed to Xinhua that a team of the French Army will fly from France to come and play the Ugandan team.

"Last year the French Army football team played the Uganda Cranes and this year focus is on rugby," added Onek.

Uganda Rugby Cranes coach Tolbert Onyango told Xinhua that playing the French Army team will be a big boost to test his team before they head to Hong Kong and later the Commonwealth Games.

"It is always important to have the players play as many international games as possible because it helps them prepare better," added Onyango.

For the Commonwealth Games, Uganda who are the Africa Rugby 7s champions, are grouped alongside giants Fiji, Wales and Sri Lanka in Pool D. Uganda gained direct qualification for the Commonwealth Games after winning the 2017 Africa 7s Championship. Enditem