Nairobi and Lenana in action during a past action/HANDOUT 

 Reigning Nairobi schools rugby 15s champions Upper Hill School have been drawn in what appears a favourable pool alongside Dagoretti Mixed and Highway Secondary as the new season gets underway.

Head coach Victor Walgwe believes his charges have the quality to mount another strong campaign, but insists they will not be complacent.

“It’s a new year, so the teams are going to be competitive. We cannot bank on history and last year’s form. We start afresh and take one match at a time,” observed Walgwe.

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The tactician revealed he has retained a solid core from last season’s title-winning squad, complemented by a fresh intake of Grade 10 players who joined in January. 

“It’s a blend of exciting players this year. They have trained for the better part of the term, and we are relishing the battle,” he added.

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Last season’s losing finalists, Nairobi School, face Moi Forces Academy and Muhuri Muchiri, with coach Allan Ngige optimistic about going one step further.

“We came close last season, so we learned our lessons and hope we qualify for Kisumu this time round,” said Ngige. Dagoretti High are pooled with Hospital Hill and Ushirika Secondary in Pool C, while former champions Lenana School headline Pool D, alongside Garden Estate and Kangemi Secondary.

Ofafa Jericho face Aquinas and Our Lady of Fatima, while Pool F features Jamhuri High, Strathmore School, Langata and Mwiki Secondary.

In the girls’ category, Karen C Secondary School headline Pool A alongside St Claire Nembu Girls and Kenya High School. Mbagathi Girls will be the team to beat in Pool B, where they face Garden Estate, State House Girls and Our Lady of Fatima Secondary School.

The matches will be played over three days from March 5 to 7. After the preliminary pool matches, teams will be ranked, with the top eight progressing to the NRSSSA Regional Championship.

The qualifiers will be seeded into two pools of four teams each. The top two sides from each pool will advance to the semi-finals, with the winners contesting the final and the losers meeting in the third-place playoff.