Kenya 7s stars Patrick Odongo and Kevin Wekesa will officially kick off their French 7s campaign on Saturday 16 August 2025, marking an exciting new chapter in their rugby journey.
The Shujaa duo will feature in the three-legged tournament, where they will test their skills against some of the world’s top sevens players, including Argentina’s Marcos Moneta and Fiji’s Iowane Teba.
Their stint in the French 7s not only boosts their international exposure but also adds valuable experience that could benefit Kenya 7s in the upcoming HSBC SVNS 2026 campaign, where the team will be seeking promotion from Division 2.
The duo will play for Monaco Rugby Sevens in the 16-team professional rugby sevens competition in France.
While the highly rated Odongo is set to make his debut in the French competition, Wekesa will be returning for a second year after playing for the same side in 2024 for the first time.
Kenya 7s duo Odongo and Wekesa begin French 7s journey
Odongo and Wekesa will be hoping to help Monaco Rugby Sevens clinch the title they last won in 2022.
The two players, who made history back in June by becoming the first Kenyan athletes to feature in the inaugural edition of the Rugby Premier League held in India from 15 to 29 June 2025, will once again fly the country’s flag in the competition.
Their experience is expected to help the national team once their season gets underway later in November.
Monaco will get their tournament underway against Castres Olympique in their Round of 16 match with the winner progressing to the quarterfinals.
French 7s stars to watch: Moneta, Teba
The French 7s will have some exciting talent like Argentina’s Marcos Moneta who will be playing for Bordeaux Begles. Moneta won the 2021 World Rugby Sevens Men’s Player of the Year and was the top try scorer at the Tokyo Olympics where he helped Argentina to claim the bronze medal.
Fiji’s Iowane Teba will also be in action but will be part of Monaco alongside Odongo and Wekesa. He was part of Fiji’s squad that won silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Argentine Luciano Gonzalez will also be in action in France and will play for Bordeaux Begles.
Other international stars include Spain duo Jaime Manteca and Tobias Sainz-Trapaga, Fiji’s Eroni Sau, Lucas Lacamp (USA), Diego Ardao (Uruguay), Thomas Isherwood (Canada).
Why the French 7s stint matters for Kenya 7s?
The two players are expected to hone their skills in a professional setup and gain as much knowledge which should transfer to the national team.
Fixtures ahead for Odongo and Wekesa in the French 7s
For this sixth edition, the competition takes place in the same format as the previous year with three summer stages and a grand final organized at Paris La Défense Arena.
16 August in Mont-de-Marsan – First outing
23 August in Dax – Second outing
30 August in Pau – Third outing
In Mont-de-Marsan, Monaco get their tournament underway against Castres Olympique in their Round of 16 match with the winner progressing to the quarterfinals.
The final stage will take place at Paris La Défense Arena, in February 2026, with the 8 qualified teams out of the 16 entered.