- Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier League – Matchday Three
- 4pm: Rams vs Heathens
- “The Graveyard” Makerere Rugby Grounds.
Rams will have a huge mountain to climb this season when they host Heathens at The Graveyard on Saturday in matchday three of the Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier League. The Makerere outfit are yet to get a win this season and now face a side that have set their eyes on going another season undefeated.
However, coach Richard Lumu has maintained his starting front row from last weekend and made only one personnel change to his pack. Geoffrey Otieno replaces Joseph Kanu at the blindside flank.
Heathens have not been as conservative in their changes to the pack. Arthur Mukama starts at the front row while Aziz Khan is in the second row for Gideon Kaihura. Patrick Okello thus takes Khan’s place in the loose forwards.
With the absence of national sevens stars Aaron Ofoywroth and captain Michael Wokorach, Heathens have shuffled players in their backline. Chris Lubanga who missed last weekend’s match in a late change to the team starts at flyhalf in the place of Ofoywroth. Jordan Bongomin pairs with Innocent Gwokto in the midfield in what has become Heathens’ strategy when Wokorach is unavailable.
Their opponents Rams have kept only two players in the starting backline from last weekend – scrumhalf Shakur Saka and inside center Nelson Mandela. Saka will combine with flyhalf Emmanuel Kibirige while Mandela will pair with Raymond Odoch. At fullback, Emmanuel Kinyera who has had a slow start to the season is on the bench and Isaac Azama replaces him for this match.
Rams Squad:
- Starting: 1 Daniel Lubangken, 2 Jude Rwakayanga, 3 Micheal Emojong, 4 John Tabu, 5 John Paul Kaweesa, 6 Geophrey Otieno, 7 Solomon Aryampa, 8 Uthman Mukasa, 9 Shakur Saka, 10 Emmanuel Kibirige, 11 Samson Wareh, 12 Nelson Mandela, 13 Raymond Odoch, 14 Karl Edo, 15 Isaac Azama.
- Substitutes: 16 Samuel Tamale, 17 Joel Matovu, 18 Joel Wadidi, 19 Daniel Katerega, 20 Ronald Binagwa, 21 Trevor Murungi, 22 Emmanuel Kinyera, 23 Collin Nsaba, 24 Derrick Ssenteza.
Heathens Squad:
- Starting: 1 Santos Senteza, 2 Alex Mubiru, 3 Arthur Mukama, 4 Charles Uhuru, 5 Aziz Khan, 6 Kato Reynolds, 7 Patrick Okello, 8 Scott Olwoch, 9 Paul Epillo, 10 Chris Lubanga, 11 Joseph Bulago, 12 Jordan Bongomin, 13 Innocent Gwokto, 14 Claude Otema, 15 Joseph Oyet.
- Substitutes: 16 Ronald Kanyanya, 17 Gideon Kaihura, 18 Paul Serunjogi, 19 Herbert Champara, 20 Lawrence Ssebuliba, 21 Steven Kalema, 22 Kenneth Okong, 23 Trevor Ochan, 24 Allan Otim.