For the next three days, most of the top players in the seven-a-side rugby format will be in Madrid, Spain for different reasons.

Some of the countries have qualified for the Olympic games and will be using the three-day tournament to continue their preparations towards the big dance in Paris, France in July. Others have a different agenda. The top eight teams in the World rugby Sevens Series have their eyes on the championship title which was introduced this season. Already, Argentina and New Zealand women’s teams have already won the Series’ titles in Singapore.

Perhaps one of the most competitive categories will be a battle to remain as a core team in the World Rugby Sevens World Series. The bottom four teams in the men’s competition – USA, Samoa, Canada and hosts Spain will face the top four in the second tier Challenger Series.

These are, Paraguay, Kenya, Chile and Germany. Kenya, relegated at the end of last season finished second to Paraguay in the Challenger Series and are keen to return to the top flight competition.

On Wednesday, the Kenya team – popularly known as Shujaa – for the promotion/relegation qualifier was named to face hosts Spain, Samoa and regular adversaries Chile in Pool B. Pool A has USA, Canada, Uruguay – the Challenger Series winners – and Germany who finished fourth.

The team will be captained by Vincent Onyala together with Tony Omondi. The arithmetic is simple, will all your pool games to get a ‘favorable draw in the quarter finals. All the teams will be ranked after completing their pool matches and paired for the quarters.

Shujaa begin their campaign by playing against Brian Lima’s Samoa and hosts Spain before facing Chile on Saturday.

After the third Challenger Series in Munich, Shujaa camped in Marseille before flying out to the humid conditions in Madrid.

Men’s draw

Pool A: USA, Canada, Paraguay, Germany.

Pool B: Spain, Samoa, Kenya, Chile.

Shujaa squad: Vincent Onyala, Anthony Omondi, Kevin Wekesa, John Okoth, Brian Tanga, George Ooro, Patrick Odongo, Samuel Asati, Herman Humwa, Nygel Amaitsa, Lamech Ambetsa, Chrisant Ojwang, Brian Mutua  

Day one, May 31

Promotion relegation play off

Canada v Uruguay, USA v Germany, Canada v Germany, USA v Uruguay, Samoa v Kenya, Spain v Chile, Samoa v Chile, Spain v Kenya.

Saturday, June 1

Uruguay v Germany, USA v Canada, Kenya v Chile, Spain v Samoa.