Champions KCB face Nondies as the curtain draws on the 40th edition of the Impala Floodlit at Impala grounds on Saturday evening.
The bankers are chasing a tenth Floodlit crown and will start the final as marginal favourites against the White Shirts, whom they beat 20-3 in last year's decider.
KCB assistant coach Mark Mshila is expecting a close and competitive final.
"This is not the Nondies we played last year. They have improved tremendously and will offer a stern test. However, we are more than prepared for them,” said Mshila.
The former international believes the team that will win the collisions, set piece and breakdown up front will carry the day.
“15s rugby starts in the forwards, an area where we are very strong and robust. We will want to gain dominance up front to supply the ball to our backs," added Mshila.
The Thika Road outfit are without the international quartet of Thomas Okidia, Griffin Musila, Wilhite Mususi, and Brian Wahinya — who are with the Kenya Simbas in Kakamega preparing for the Victoria and Elgon Cup matches.
Mshila will bank on Fidel Maina, Nick Okullo, Nelson Nyandat and Brian Munyali in the forwards while Kenya under 20 vice-captain Michael Wamalwa, Bob Muhati, Festus Shiasi and the smiling assassin Darwin Mukidza the key actors in the backs.
Nondies will fancy their chances and try to exploit the absence of the KCB quartet and clinch a first title since 2012.
They will rely on skipper Steve Odhiambo, Dennis Munala, and Eric Shimoli upfront with flyhalf Calvin Sheunda, Ian Mumbwani, Charles Odhiambo, and Ben Salem the main men in the backline.
Head coach Oliver Callum believes his charges have a good chance of toppling the bankers.
“We could not execute the opportunities we created last year. We learnt our lessons and we will be going all out to win the tile," said Callum.
Hosts Impala welcome Mwamba in the women's final while the Impala men's side will be up against Strathmore Leos in the Division One final.
The university category final pits JKUAT against USIU.
Meanwhile, the event organisers have erected big screens to broadcast the Rugby World Cup final pitting holders South Africa against New Zealand at 10 pm.
