If Hollywood Wrote Rugby Scripts…

The 20th anniversary match between Royal Navy Rugby Union and Rugby Clube Marine Nationale at Havant RFC was an intense affair. RCMN’s early lead was challenged by the Navy, but a late surge secured a dramatic victory for the French team, leaving the Royal Navy and their support stunned.

The fixture kicked off with a bang as the France captain and Number 8 Rypen made a massive carry, propelling the French team into early territory and possession. The Navy scrum demonstrated its cohesion, drawing penalties, but it was France who struck first amidst suspicions of a forward pass, culminating in a sublime finish out wide.

The intensity of the match continued as Navy scrum half Will Riglesford received a yellow card for failing to retreat, resulting in an additional 10 metres for the penalty, which France duly converted for a simple 3 points. However, the Royal Navy responded just before the close of the half as Gott successfully converted a penalty, narrowing the scoreline. At halftime, the Senior Men trailed 3 - 8 against RCMN.

The second half saw a standout moment when Kye Beasley executed a big defensive tackle, blindsiding the French ball carrier and driving him back over the gain line, ultimately winning a penalty for the Royal Navy. Sensing the time was right for a change in momentum, the RN coaches made a strategic decision to bring on six forward replacements, hoping to turn the tide in their favour.

The move paid dividends as Rory Mitchell scored the Royal Navy's first try after a series of close drives near the French try line softened up the opposition's defence. However, the visitors responded immediately with a try of their own, capitalising on a bobbling ball in the Royal Navy's 22 and crossing the try line unopposed.

As the match progressed, the Royal Navy found themselves battling hard in the wrong half of the field, with the challenging wind making it difficult to exit their 22. In a dramatic turn of events around the 80-minute mark, Jack Wright crossed the try line for the Royal Navy after a driving maul, to level the scores. Jake Hanley's conversion attempt seemed destined to curl in and seize control of the game, but unfortunately, it struck the upright and was repelled.

With the stadium clock stuck on 80 minutes, the French team kicked off, regained possession, and strolled under the posts, much to the delight of their travelling supporters. The now redundant but successful conversion sealed the victory for Rugby Clube Marine Nationale, with the final score standing at RNRU 15 - 22 RCMN, leaving the Royal Navy team and their fans stunned by the late turnaround akin to the heartbreaking defeat at Twickenham against the Army last year.

RNRU 15 – 22 RCMN

Skipper Jarrard Hayler was retrospective, "It was a tough result to take; the French put up a good fight. It was a disappointing game but there’s a lot of positives that came out of it for us. It is time for us to analyse our performance and go again. Eyes firmly on IS and we will put in the hard work to get back on top."

Dave Pascoe reflected on 20 years of playing the French which he has been involved in throughout, “It was a great rugby spectacle, and I am proud to have been a part of every fixture. We are obviously disappointed with the outcome but delighted to welcome two new caps into the club, Rory and Jamin. That was a great French side and although hurting, a tough fixture like that will prepare us well going into the Inter Services.”

The Senior Men take on the RAF at cinch Stadium at Franklin Gardens on 19 Apr, KO 1600.

Tickets: Click here to purchase direct from the Northampton Saints website

Senior Men: K Beasley, R Williams, D Cleverley; S Makepeace, D MacAdams; C Mills, B Mallett, J Hayler (C); W Riglesford, J Gott, C Duncan (VC), AJ King, J Hoffman*, H Gliddon, R Dingemans*.

Replacements: ⁠J Wright, T Lindsay, B Watson (VC), E Pascoe, R Mitchell, R Vakalutukali, D Rutter, J Hanley.

* Denotes new cap.

Words by J Campbell-Baldwin

Images by Cinnabar Studios