The 2024 Rugby Africa Cup is only days away and Uganda will host the tournament at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole and Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku starting Saturday, July 20.
Apart from star player Philip Wokorach, Asuman Mugerwa, and Mark Omoding who ply their trade professionally, the rest of the players play in the Nile Special Rugby Premier League.
Wokorach plays for French side Orleans, Asuman Mugerwa for Kabras in Kenya, while Omoding features for Harlequins in England.
Here is a breakdown of the representatives of the different Rugby Premier League teams on the 28-man squad of the Rugby Cranes 15s.
Last years’ losing finalists in the Championship final Black Pirates took the lion’s share of the squad with nine players.
Meanwhile, the 2021 champions Kobs follow suit with eight players.
The defending champions and record holders Heathens will be represented by five players.
Jinja Hippos, Rhinos, and Barbarians have two representatives apiece while Rams, Eagles, and Plascon Mongers are represented by a single player each.
Wokorach, Alex Aturinda, and Timothy Kisiga are the three 7s players that were included in the 15s roster for the Rugby AFCON.
Ebber Aturinde, Robin Odrua, Blair Ayebazibwe, Haruna Muhammad, Edward Ememu, and Nicholas Kato are the six reserve players.
Fred Alex Mudoola’s men will start their tournament with a quarterfinal tie against Zimbabwe at Namboole on Saturday.
This year’s Rugby Africa Cup will serve as one of the qualifiers for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the Pearl of Africa will be hoping to put their foot forward as hosts.
Pirates: Moses Zziwa (Forward), Sydney Gongodyo (Forward), Jones Kamiza (Back), Nathan Bwambale (Forward), Ivan Magomu (Back), (©️), Conrad Wanyama (Forward) (Assistant Captain), Timothy Kisiga (Back), Alex Aturinda (Forward), Haruna Muhammad (Back)
Kobs: Blair Ayebazibwe (Forward),
Robert Aziku (Back), Saul Kivumbi (Forward), Joseph Aredo (Back), Mike Otto (Forward), Faragi Odugo (Back), Byron Oketayot (Forward),
Manano Alhaji (Back)
Heathens: Joseph Oyet (Back), Nicholas Kato (Back), Innocent Gwokto (Back), Santos Senteza (Back), Charles Uhuru (Forward)
Jinja Hippos: Julius Opio (Forward), Eliphaz Emong (Forward)
Mongers: Ebber Aturinde (Forward)
Rhinos: Pool Kalungi (Back), Arnold Ocen (Back),
Walukuba Barbarians: Shakim Ssembusi (Forward), Edward Ememu (Forward)
Rams: Brian Wandera (Forward)
Eagles: Jude Juuko (Forward)
Orleans: Phillip Wokorach (Back)
Kabras: Asuman Mugerwa (Forward)
Harlequins: Mark Omoding (Forward)
