Award Winner Hayler Debuts for Navy U23s
Having been named Royal Navy player of IDRC 2015 by the Senior XV squad, openside flanker Jarred Hayler, makes his debut this evening for the Royal Navy U23 XV as they travel to Bedford for their final fixture before the 2015 Inter Services tournament. The side will be captained by centre Greg Loydall.
At the final of IDRC 2015 the Royal Navy Senior XV took time out to nominate some award winners from their campaign. The awards were presented by Gavin Vaughan-Evans, Under Armour’s Director for Wales and South West England. The Royal Navy U23XV were represented with two out of the three awards presented. Joe Burton was named best newcomer to the Senior XV squad and Jarred Hayler was named best player throughout the tournament. The final award went to former Navy player, Matt Brock, who had stepped up at short notice to undertake the Team Manager duties.
Following his IDRC 2015 exploits, Hayler is named in a strong U23 XV backrow which also features Luke Cooper and Ben Roberts, with the experienced Tristan Trehan also available on the bench.
Inside centre, Greg Loydall brings his considerable experience to the captaincy and in number 8 Ben Roberts, scrum half Gareth John Rees and fly half Wilson Curtis, the team has a strong central core which will be looking to the pack to provide them good front football against some very experienced opponents.
It is the U23 XV’s final match before they travel to RAF Halton on Armistice Day and the opening fixture in the 2015 U23 XV Inter Services tournament. Though there are still a couple of players to come into the squad next week, tonight’s team will form the core of the Inter Service squad and will be looking for a solid final performance before the cup games begin.
The full team is as follows:
Royal Navy U23 XV: Chris Robinson, Isaac Salt, Sam Norton, Dan Mason, Alex Cragg, Luke Cooper, Jarred Hayler, Ben Roberts, Gareth John Rees, Wilson Curtis, Rory Penfold, Greg Loydall (C), Harry Bates, Brendan Streather, Rhys Dimmock-Williams
Replacements: Nick Burgess, Rob McGregor, Mark Dowds, Jamies Harrison, James Griggs, Tristan Trehan
Bedford Blues Academy v Royal Navy U23 XV, Bedford Blues RFC, Goldington Road, Bedford. KO 19:30
Next Match
Royal Air Force U23 XV v Royal Navy U23 XV, RAF Halton, KO 14:00
Images by Alligin Photography / © Geraint Ashton Jones & © John Walton