Kenya Simbas' squad will be whittled down to 60 players next week as preparations for next month's Curie Cup in South Africa intensify.
The initial training squad of 81 players was named last month.
Head coach Paul Odera said competition for places has been intense with the team having trained for the past three weeks.
" We expect the competition for places to intensify after Saturday's Kenya Cup final between Kabras and Menengai Oilers in Kakamega,” he said.
He said players in the squad involved in the final will join with the rest of the team next week.
"We have a fortnight to finalise our preparations and ensure we are ready for the start of the competition,” added Odera.
The former skipper said despite the late start to the training period, the boys have worked hard to be in good shape physically and mentally.
“It's been challenging for most of them as they have had to combine Kenya Cup assignments and training for Simbas. I am happy to say that most players have given their all in our sessions so far," he noted.
The team will focus on skill work, defence, and attack patterns from next week, according to Odera.
"The first three weeks of training were strength and conditioning and they will continue but the emphasis now until departure will be on skill work, attack, and defence patterns which will be quite intense," said Odera.
He said the team will soon be cut down to the final 30 best players to compete against the top sides in South Africa.
The Simbas are using the Currie Cup tournament as a build-up for Rugby World Cup qualifiers in July in France.
The coach announced that players called up to the squad will not be released to the clubs to play in the Enterprise Cup which kick-offs on March 19.
Meanwhile, Godwin Karuga will be the referee for the Kenya Cup final pitting Kabras Sugar and Menengai Oilers in Kakamega on Saturday.
Karuga boasts 23 years’ officiating experience having begun his officiating journey in 1999 in the Eric Shirley Shield before being fast-tracked to the top tier Kenya Cup where he has officiated to date.
