Former champions are confident of victory and maintaining the top spot when they take on Lion de Fer in the national rugby league at Croix Rouge grounds on Saturday afternoon.

The game starts at 3pm.

Both sides go into the game fresh from beating champions Kigali Sharks. The Hills ran 18-9 winners over the Sharks on May 25, before the latter lost 14-10 to Lion de Fer.

Serge Shema, the Thousand Hills coach, has urged his players to ‘take Lion de Fer very seriously’ despite their favourite status ahead of the game.

"Lion de Fer are usually never a threat for us, but we will not underrate them. We won’t take any chances,” Shema told Times Sport on Friday.

He added: "The players are ready. We just need to stick to our game plan.”

The Hills beat Lion de Fer 10-6 during the two sides’ reverse encounter.

In another Saturday fixture, Muhanga host winless UR Grizzlies. Kick-off 1pm.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com