RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

With storms approaching the UK the Royal Navy Senior Men will be hoping that a Flood doesn’t dominate their next match against Cambridge University.

The UK’s second oldest university has always attracted an excellent caliber of player and in recent years it has seen ex internationals put on the famous light Blue shirt. On Wednesday night ex England international Out-Half Toby Flood makes his first appearance for the University and will line up opposite AET Jordan Gott in the Royal Navy’s second match of 2022.

In his glittering 17 year career which spanned 4 professional teams in England and France, Flood played 60 times for England scoring 301 points. He came on as a substitute in the 2007 World Cup final where England were pipped by South Africa. His opposite number can empathise with losing a big final having been on the wrong side of the scoreline in January’s Inverdale Cup final for the Fleet Air Arm against the Royal Marines.

After their first outing of the season against Taunton last week the Royal Navy Senior Men’s side will be looking to make visible progress against traditionally strong and fast paced opposition. With the season still in its infancy the match is usually a test of squad depth and a chance to be put through their paces by a side that have already made their annual Twickenham appearance.

Assistant Director of Rugby Arty Shaw said, "After a solid performance last week against Taunton, we are looking to build on that last 20 minutes of high tempo, high pressure rugby. The second of our trial fixtures, the coaching team will look to give the opportunity of new players to show their talents in the Navy shirt. The Cambridge game is a long standing fixture and one we look forward to with excitement". Speaking on the fact that the Navy will lining up against an Ex England international Arty simply had to say that “it’s a great test for Gotty”.

Eyes will be on Cambridge’s number 10 but he won’t be the only one on the field with International experience as named on the bench is Harlequins and England Under 20 Fy Half Jamie Benson. The Royal Navy only has one international in the squad with Marine Toby Papp having made his first appearance for Hungary in September.

The match kicks off at 19:30 at Grange Road Cambridge with all support welcome.

Line Up

1. LET(ME) Richie Ives
2. LPT Ben Priddey
3. AET Chris Warner
4. AB(D) Gav Hughan
5. MNE Josh Williams
6. MNE Toby Papp
7. Cpl Ratu Vakalutukali
8. Lt Jarrard Hayler RM (Captain)
9. LAET Sam Carter
10. AET Jordan Gott
11. POAET Ben Chambers
12. LCpl Kai Baker
13. Lt Rory O’Brien RM
14. AB(LOGS) Kiniviliame Dakuiliga
15. MNE Craig Duncan

Replacements
Lt Louis Frankland RN, LS(EW) Tim Lindsay, LA(AH) Ben Watson, PO(SET) Ashley Wakefield, AB Dan Macadams, MNE Joe Richards, Lt Mitchell Spencer RN, MNE Rory Mitchell, MNE Alex Petersen, AET Dan Rutter, MNE Kane Teear-Bourge, AET Sean Mackervail, AB(CS) Ben Raivalitia, MNE Remi Norville, AET Jerome Rudder