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The Kenya Cup Rugby league enters the third round this Saturday with clubs anticipating a full house after the return of players who were doing duty for the national 15’s team, Shujaa, in international matches.

Already, there is a sense of optimism by the international 15’s players, who have been away with the national team for close to a month, for the local action to serve as a platform to increase their fitness levels ahead of the resumption of the HSBC Seven League in the final week of January 2022 in Malaga, Spain.

For rugby enthusiasts, there is a lot to feast their eyes on in the Kenya Cup and in total, there will be four fixtures in Nairobi with Kakamega and Nakuru Cities hosting one each.

Defending champions KCB will be at their backyard in Ruaraka to face Nakuru in a match that is expected to produce fireworks.

After missing their second-round clash’ against BlakBlad last weekend, KCB can’t wait to see action against Wanyore with Coach Curtis Olago indicating as much.

“Obviously, we don’t expect things to be any easy against Nakuru but I think we can pull off a second victory against them. We are at home and therefore have a reputation to protect and this is why I have instructed my players to give their best,” said Olago.

This will be the second match of a double-header at KCB Sports Club with the first match pitting Homeboyz against Blak Blad at 1pm.

For KCB, it remains to be seen what is up the sleeves of their newly signed players from Blak Blad including Brian Wahinya and Bob Muhati, a former Disco Jockey, as they plot on the downfall of Wanyore.

Bob will partner with Shujaa and Simbas speedster Vincent Onyala at midfield starting pair while Wahinya might be tested in a position that is usually reserved for Shujaa playmaker Johnstone Olind.

Another Shujaa stalwart and play-maker Levy Amunga is envisaged to be deployed as fly half.

Meanwhile, the weekend opener clash will be at 1pm where Coach Simon Odongo- led Homeboyz fqace a real test in the form of the unpredictable Blak Blad.

The Shujaa duo of Jeff Oluoch and Bush Mwale, experienced front rower Thomas Okidia and the backline duo of Mohammed Omollo and William Diffu will return to boost the side’s prospects of claiming the first win of the season.

During the anticipated game of wits, Morans skipper Augustine Lugonzo will start as scrumhalf of the with former Chipu play maker Arnold Onzere shouldered with the responsibility of supplying balls upfront for Shujaa speedster Collins Shikoli and Mohammed Omollo to make conversions.

Elsewhere at RFUEA ground on Ngong’ Road, sparks are expected to fly when Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology entertains Kenyan Harlequins.

At Madaraka grounds in Nairobi West, hosts Strathmore University will hope to claim a third straight win over Impala Saracens whereas Kabras Sugar have their work cut out when they face Mwamba at Kakamega ASK Showground.