The national rugby team, Silverbacks is set to begin preparations ahead of this year’s Safaricom Sevens tournament due September 23-27 in Nairobi, Kenya.

This year’s edition will attract senior teams as well as U-19 teams from the region.

A provisional squad of up to 30 players for both U-19 and senior team has been summoned to start training today at Mumena stadium in Nyamirambo.

"We need 24 players for both teams, who will travel to Nairobi for the competition” said the Rwanda Rugby Federation secretary general Jean Baptiste Itanzi, who also doubles as the U-19 team head coach.

The senior team will under the tutorage of Fijian head coach Ismail Mocevakaca, who says such competitions are good in terms of giving experience and exposure of the Rwandan players.

It will be the third time for the Silverback to compete in the annual Safaricon 7s tournament.

The U-19 team head coach Itanzi said it’s important they start early preparations because they want to leave a mark in Kenya this time round.