In preparation for their pivotal WXV3 clash against Colombia in Dubai on Friday evening, the Lionesses have undergone a significant transformation, with seven new faces joining the squad.
The team that finishes at the bottom of WXV3 will contend with the next-best ranked side in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings, determined following the conclusion of that year’s WXV matches.
Presently, the Lionesses occupy the fifth spot with one point from two matches, while Colombia finds itself in the sixth and final position, yet to secure any points after two outings.
Three of the seven changes for the Lionesses are in the starting fifteen, while the remaining four will be on the bench.
Head coach Paul Murunga has given Naomi Muhanji her first start of the campaign after she made two appearances off the bench. Judith Okumu will slot in at scrumhalf, while Sharon Auma will make her debut in WXV3, starting on the wing.
Furthermore, Knight Otwoma, Valentine Otieno, and Edith Nariaka make their return to the match day squad after missing last Friday’s narrow defeat to Kazakhstan. Faith Livoi will begin the game from the bench after starting in the second row in two previous matches.
However, Grace Okulu will be absent from the match day squad, serving a two-match suspension carried forward from the Rugby Africa Women’s 7s final against South Africa in Tunisia on October 15.
Looking forward to the upcoming fixture, Coach Murunga expressed, “It has been a good week in terms of training. We identified several areas we needed to fix after the Kazakhstan game. We’ve polished our plays, especially on attack. The girls must also be more confident when playing.”
He continued, “This will be our second meeting with Colombia; we last played them in Nairobi in August 2021, where they won 16-15. We are expecting an equally tough game against them, and we will try and play an expansive game. We are pleased that our sevens players have gelled with the rest of the squad after their arrival from Tunisia, and their input will be key to our game plan.”
Furthermore, Murunga emphasized the need for more exposure for the Lionesses, stating, “We need to have more engagements similar to WXV3 to get the team accustomed to playing at this level. It provides invaluable exposure.”
Team captain Enid Ouma rallied her troops, saying, “We remain positive and confident. We may have lost the opening two matches, but that does not stop us from showcasing who we are.”
LIONESSES V COLOMBIA
Starting XV
- Diana Omosso, 14. Sharon Auma, 13. Prisca Nyerere, 12. Stella Wafula, 11. Terry Ayesa, 10. Anne Goretti, 9. Judith Okumu, 1. Rose Otieno, 2. Naomi Muhanji, 3. Natasha Emali (VC), 4. Maureen Chebet, 5. Naomi Jelagat, 6. Enid Ouma (C), 7. Diana Kemunto, 8. Phoebe Akinyi
Replacements
- Knight Otwoma, 17. Valentine Otieno, 18. Evelyn Kalemera, 19. Faith Livoi, 20. Hesla Khisa, 21. Edith Nariaka, 22. Esther Juma, 23. Michelle Akinyi.
