The national rugby team, Silverbacks, fly to Kinshasa, DR Congo tomorrow in a bid to defend the Africa Rugby Division 2 Cup which they won as hosts last year at the Amahoro stadium.

The 15s tournament which will feature DRC A and B, Rwanda and Congo Brazzaville will take place on June 27-30.

The squad consisting of only 18 players includes three debutants namely; Ombeni Iradukunda, Pierre Niyoyita, and Patrick Ikorukwishaka.

Speaking to Times Sport on Thursday, Jean Baptiste Itanzi, the team’s coach-player said, "We want the younger players to grow; and we haven’t forgotten players with experience that is why we summoned a team which has a mixture of experience and youthfulness.”

"We also included more young players as a way of preparing them for the upcoming 2016 Rio Olympics qualifiers next month,” the Silverbacks prop, added.

The Silverback will kick off their title defence against DRC A on Sunday, while DRC B will face off against Congo Brazzaville who replaced Burundi. The winners of both matches will meet at the final on June 30 to determine the champions.

However, Rwandan players have expressed concern with the venue, Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecote saying that it is not suitable for rugby.

Vincent Kamali, the Silverbacks captain and fullback described it as a "not-rugby friendly surface”.

He said, "Regardless of the where we play from or the nature of the field, we shall go there with the aim to win the cup.”

The Silverbacks lost 5-9 in the final last year to the DRC but were awarded the cup because DRC team did have the required 15 players.

Silverbacks line-up: 

Forwards: Abdoul-Karim Ngango, Jean de Dieu Habimana , Jean Leonard Twizeyimana , Patrick Kazungu, Gerald Niyoneza, Emmanuel Nemeye, Olivier Nikwigize.

Backs: Emmanuel Ikorukwishaka , Ismael Bikamba, Pierre Niyoyita, Ombane Iradukunda, Emmanuel Nduwayezu, Vincent Kamali (Captain).

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