By John Kwoba

NAIROBI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Kenya 15s rugby side will face a litmus test in their Africa Rugby Gold Cup campaign, which will be held in June with an away match in Morocco.

The six-team competition will be held on home and away basis with the winner of the competition not only being crowned African champion but will also secure direct qualification to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The second placed team will join teams from Europe, Asia and South America in the Repechage process for the final spot at the Rugby World Cup.

South Africa have already qualified from Africa but two more teams from Zimbabwe, Morocco, Namibia, Uganda, Tunisia and Kenya will be joining them later.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has already released a provisional 18-man squad to start preparations for this year's international calendar with focus on the Rugby Africa Gold Cup.

This squad, which will be beefed up with more call ups in the coming days, is currently going through its paces under the current technical bench of backs coach Charles Ngovi, forwards coach Dominique Habimana, conditioning coach Richard Ochieng, physio Chris Makachia and Team Manager Simiyu Wangila.

Kenya 15s team: Oscar Simiyu, Philip Ikambili, Dennis Karani, Wilson Kopondo, George Nyambua, Elkeans Musonye, Davis Chenge, Stephen Otieno, Samson Onsomu, Nato Simiyu, Jacob Ojee, Leo Seje, Peter Kilonzo, Alex Olaba, Darwin Mukidza, Curtis Lilako, Martin Owila, Michael Wanjala.