The women’s national rugby 15s side Kenya Lionesses are set to play in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Antananarivo, Madagascar, from May 18–29, 2023, with their focus set on finishing in the top two in order to qualify for the WXV.
The Dennis Mwanja-coached side is set to face South Africa, Madagascar, and Cameroon in a round-robin format, with the winner qualifying for the second tier of the WXV and the runner-up qualifying for the third tier of the same competition. The WXV is the new international competition launched by World Rugby aimed at increasing the competitiveness, reach, and impact of elite women’s rugby by providing a global platform between Rugby World Cups to increase the reach, impact, and value of the sport and grow the game as a whole.
Speaking ahead of the team’s departure to Madagascar on Thursday, Mwanja exuded confidence in the team called up to camp as he spoke of his desire to elevate the women’s game in the country to almost the same level as the men, who have twice come close to qualifying for the prestigious Rugby World Cup.
