Josh Weru

Josh Weru is a 19 year old international rugby union player, who plays for the Kenyan National Team as a Number 8. Formally was part of Northampton Saints Academy.

Josh Weru
Birth nameJoshua Weru
Date of birth2003
Place of birthKenya
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight16 st 3 lb (103 kg)
UniversityLoughborough University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Backrow
Current team Unattached
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018-2022 Northampton Saints 0 (0)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020
2022–		 Kenya u20
Kenya
3
(5)
Correct as of 20th January 2023

Career

At 14 years old, Weru joined the Northampton Saints Academy.

On the 3 August, 2022, Josh Weru signed a professional contract with Northampton Saints after graduating from their Under-18 set up. His main strength was his ball carrying ability with academy coach, Will Parkin saying: “His ball-carrying ability is amongst the very best we’ve seen at Under-18s level”.[1]

Unfortunately, late in 2022 he lost his contract with Northampton, before he managed to debut for the senior team, due to his aspirations to play for the Kenyan National Team.[2] Under the RFU’s eligibility criteria, to secure a working visa to play professional rugby, a player from a Tier 3 nation (such as Kenya) has to have a minimum of 10 international Test caps, of which three must be played during the previous 24 months.[3]

International career

In 2020 at only 16 years old Weru was called up to the Kenya U20s squad by Simbas head coach Paul Odera.[4]

In 2022 Weru was called up to Kenyan National Team[5] for the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament, where he scored on debut. Coming of the bench to run a 60 metre try in Kenyas 68-14 loss to the USA.[6] Weru earned 2 more caps in the remaining matches in the tournament, against Portugal (in which he started at Number 8) and Hong Kong.[7]

International tries
Try Opposing team Location Venue Competition Date Result Score
1  United States Dubai, UAE The Sevens Stadium 2023 Rugby World Cup Repechage 6 November 2022 Loss 68-14

References
  1. "Saints sign Weru into Senior Academy set-up". Northampton Saints. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  2. "News // Weru departs Northampton Saints". Northampton Saints. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  3. "Weru situation explained after young forwards departure from saints sparks social media questions". Northampton Chronicle and Echo.
  4. "Highly rated Kenyan youngster Joshua Weru loses pro-rugby contract with English side Northampton Saints | MozzartSportKe". www.mozzartsport.co.ke. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  5. "Wamalwa, Weru called to Simbas squad for World Cup repechage".
  6. Rugby, Asia (10 November 2022). "Final Qualification Tournament players we'd love to see at Rugby World Cup 2023". Asia Rugby. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  7. "Josh WERU profile and stats". all.rugby. Retrieved 20 January 2023.


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