Simon Muniafu, Eric Kerre in Kenya Simbas' Elgon Cup squad

Impala Saracen locks Simon Muniafu and Eric Kerre are set to get their maiden caps when Kenya Simbas take on Uganda in the first leg of the Elgon Cup on Saturday at the Legends Rugby Club, Kampala.

Muniafu, 20, a former St Mary’s School player and son of former Kenyan international back-row Max “Mad” Muniafu, and Kerre, 22, formerly of Kamusinga School, are part of the 24 players named for the duel.

“The two players are a manifestation of exceptional talent we have scouted from Kenya Cup,” said team manager Wangila Simiyu while naming the team on Tuesday.

“They are part of our squad of 39 we are grooming to take us through to next year’s 2019 World Cup qualifiers.”

The Kampala duel will witness the return of several players to Simbas. Kenya Harlequin front-row of Kang'ethe twins, James and Joseph, are making a return after a year.

Others making a return to the fold for the first time under Head Coach Jerome Paarwater, who took over in 2013, are Impala fly-half Nato Simiyu, Quins centre David Abuya and back-rows Dan Sikuta (Mwamba) and Max Adaka (Kabras Sugar).

Wangila said that they don’t want to make a mistake when only one point cost them a place at the 2014 Rugby World Cup. “This a good blend of youth and experience,” said Wangila.

Deputy coach Dominique Habimana hopes that Kenya will make a return to South Africa’s Vodacom Cup or play at Currie Cup so as to improve their standards.

“We played at 2014 Vodacom Cup and the gains were felt after we almost qualified for the World Cup,” said Habimana. “It will be crucial to our World Cup qualification ambitions next year.”

Uganda won the Elgon Cup last year after beating Kenya “A” 47-45 on aggregate.

After Kampala, the team will travel to Rio de Janeiro for a test match against Brazil on June 18 before back to back Africa Cup fixtures away to Zimbabwe and Namibia on July 9 and 16 in Harare and Windhoek respectively.

The quest for regional supremacy will return to Nairobi on July 30 when the Simbas welcome Uganda for an Africa Cup fixture that will double up as the Elgon Cup’s return leg.

Two Test series will follow against Hong Kong on August 23 and 27 respectively in Nairobi. Kenya is also likely to play Romania in October in what will be their last outing this year.

Last year, Kenya stunned Portugal and Spain 41-15 and 36-27 respectively in Test matches to scale to 27th place, their best ever ranking by World Rugby. They finished third in the Africa Cup Division 1A behind winners Namibia and Zimbabwe.

FULL SQUAD

Forwards: Moses Amusala, Curtis Lilako (KCB), Joseph Kang'ethe, James Kang'ethe (Quins),Sammy Warui (Nakuru), Peter Karia (KCB),Oliver Mang'eni (KCB),Simon Muniafu, Eric Kerre (Impala Saracens)

Back-row: Brian Nyikuli, Tony Owuor (Strathmore Leos),Mike Okombe (Nakuru),Dan Sikuta (Mwamba), Max Adaka (Kabras Sugar)

Backs: Edwin Achayo (Kabras Sugar), Lyle Asiligwa (Quins), Nato Simiyu (Impala Saracens),Isaac Adimo (Quins), Nick Barasa (Kabras Sugar), David Ambunya (Quins), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Dennis Muhanji (Quins), Vincent Mose (Impala Saracens), Tony Onyango (Impala Saracens)

Management: Jerome Paarwater (Head Coach), Dominique Habimana (Assistant Coach),Richard Ochieng (S&C),Chris Makachia (Physio), Simiyu Wangila (Team Manager)