We Will Remember Him – Lieutenant Commander Arthur Harrison VC RN
The visit of the RFU President, Jeff Blackett, to the United Services Sports Ground, Burnaby Road on 22 October 2021 was the ideal occasion to dedicate the refurbished spectator stand in memory of the only English Rugby International to have been awarded the Victoria Cross.
Lieutenant Commander Arthur Leyland Harrison, Victoria Cross, Royal Navy, played for United Services Portsmouth RFC from 1906. In the last season before The Great War, he played in the Army v Navy match and also represented England at Twickenham and in Paris. He lost his life in the service of his country, leading his men in...
Rugby may be the purpose and passion of the Royal Navy Rugby Union but we remember that we are free to enjoy it because of the ultimate sacrifice made by those that have gone before us.
As the only Premiership rugby club to have a War Memorial incorporated within their ground Northampton Saints are always reminded about their former players that left home and never returned from the field of battle. And so it is fitting that the Royal Navy, Northampton Saints and Fijian International hooker, Sam Matavesi, laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Navy Rugby Union at Franklin's Garden recently. As a current Serviceman Sam was well placed to recognise and undertstand the magnitude of the sac...
Royal Navy Under 23s succumb to the Army in Plymouth
Inter Service rugby returned as the Royal Navy and Army Under 23s battled for bragging rights in Plymouth last night, but ultimately the first half dominance from the Army was enough to take the spoils.
Plymouth Albion’s Brickfields ground was the venue for the first match between the Army and Navy for 2 years and there was a sizeable crowd, eager to add their voice to the occasion. With the game being played the day before Armistice Day the match was preceded by buglers from HM Band Royal Marines and a 2 minute silence.
The Royal Navy choose to take the kick off playing towards the clubhouse end of the stadium and an ...
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“Firstly I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all the ships and units that have released their players, their continued support is greatly appreciated. I believe we have prepared well this season and put in some strong performances along the way, the team has really gelled together and we are all very excited about Wednesday night’s game at Plymouth Albion and are looking to do the Royal Navy proud.”
Preview - Royal Navy Under 23s Vs Army Under 23s
This evening the Royal Navy Under 23s will begin their defence of the Inter Service Championship they won in 2019. The forecast for the match will be typical Devon November drizzle but that is unlikely to extinguish the hopes and expectations of a squad who have grown immensely since their formation in September.
The match is the first encounter of Army versus Navy rugby for over two years (excluding meetings between their Sevens counterparts) and a raucous crowd is expected at Brickfields Sports Ground in Plymouth.
The young Sailors and Marines have had a testing number of warm up matches in the last couple of ...
Devonport Services RFC was the setting for the Inverdale Challenge battle of the West Country between RN West and the Fleet Air Arm which ended in a large win for Fleet Air Arm.
With RN North unable to field a team the West Country match was the only game happening again in Round 2 and the Fleet Air Arm already with one win under their belt had momentum to build upon.
From the start the WAFU's pack was the point of difference between the two teams, with the sheer bulk and skill of their forwards the Fleet Air Arm were able to provide a platform for their backs to play some flowing rugby. And the Fleet Air Arm were able to capitalise upon their point of difference quickly as ther sp...
