USIU-A Martials and Kisii RFC players go for a scrum at a recent match at Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho/ANGWENYI GICHANA

The battle for the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Championship playoff slots intensifies this weekend as the league reaches the halfway stage on Saturday.

With six rounds remaining, Mwamba RFC lead the standings with 21 points, tied on points with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Cougars, while the Catholic University of East Africa’s Catholic Monks sit third on 12 points.

The three promotion favourites are separated only by points difference heading into match day six. JKUAT Cougars remain the only unbeaten side in the league after five matches and will face Catholic Monks in Juja in the highlight fixture of the weekend.

Read Also
Red hot Omanyala to orchestrate Kenya's 4x100m charge at World Relays today Athletics
Cup pressure peaks as Shabana host Kenya Police in blockbuster quarter-final Football
Upper Hill coach Walgwe unperturbed despite drawing giants in Prescott Cup group phase Rugby

Catholic Monks coach Simon Jawichire is seeking an immediate response from his players following their 28-20 loss to Homeboyz last weekend, while JKUAT head into the clash buoyed by a convincing 31-12 victory over Zetech University Oaks.

Fourth-placed South Coast Pirates travel to Nairobi to face fifth-placed Homeboyz, while former Kenya Cup side Mean Machine of the University of Nairobi hosts log leaders Mwamba RFC.

Enjoying this article? Subscribe for unlimited access to premium sports coverage.
View Plans

At the lower end of the table, United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) welcome bottom-placed Western Bulls in a must-win encounter for both sides.

USIU-A Martials coach Tom Lagat admitted the match could define their season, with his side currently 11th on four points, just above Western Bulls, who sit last on three points.

The Martials suffered their fifth straight defeat last weekend after a narrow 13-8 loss to Kisii Rugby at Cardinal Otunga High School in Mosocho. “The games against Western Bulls and National Youth Service Spades will determine our season. These are games we must win,” said Lagat.

Elsewhere, Kisii Rugby make the long trip to the coast to face Mombasa RFC at the Mombasa Sports Club. Interim coach Nelvin Lumiti expects a tough outing. “It will be a difficult game because of the long travelling hours, and the weather will be different. However, we will give it our best,” he said.