Royal Navy Team v Marine Nationale
Following the successful defence of their trophy against the Irish Defence Forces at the Curragh the Navy team entertain the Marine Nationale at US Portsmouth in their first home match of the season. The team shows a number of changes and is led by second row stalwart Marsh Cormack, one of four players supplied to the squad by 845 Squadron. Marsh takes over the captaincy from scrum half Wayne John (HMS Liverpool) who has to be content with a place on the bench. With club captain and other scrumhalf, Dave Pascoe (RNAS Culdrose), on his Command Course the match sees the starting debut of promising Marine scrumhalf Jonny Stephens (CTCRM). Jonny is joined in the team by fellow U23 Cap and another player making his first Senior XV start, Gareth Jones (RNAS Yeovilton). As with the game last year the Navy will no doubt look to use the potency of their back three to turn the match. Last year's man of the match Josh Drauniniu (CTCRM) is joined by fellow England Sevens International Greg Barden (RM Poole) whilst Andy Vance (HMS Sultan) at fullback is a most underrated player who loses nothing in comparison to his two illustrious colleagues. However though the back three may be the ones who catch the eye it will no doubt be up front where the game will be decided. In Paris last February Navy prop David Turner (HMS Ark Royal) first came to prominence before going on to be capped against the RAF. This year the all Fleet Air Arm front row will be looking to provide the sound platform. Maltese International Kyle Mason (RNAS Yeovilton) will be joined by the Culdrose duo of Ben Priddey and John Court. The Navy Team in full is as follows: 1 NA(AH) Kyle Mason - RNAS Yeovilton 2 NA(AH) Ben Priddey - RNAS Culdrose 3 POAET John Court - RNAS Culdrose 4 Cpl Damien Chambers - CTCRM 5 LAET Marsh Cormack (Capt) - RNAS Yeovilton 6 AET Gareth Jones - RNAS Yeovilton 7 LPT Les Dennis - HMS Nelson 8 Maj Matt Parker RM - RMCS Shrivenham 9 Mne Jonny Stephens - CTCRM 10 Mne Rob Lloyd - 42 CDO RM 11 Cpl Greg Barden - RM Poole 12 AET Lewis Taylor - RNAS Yeovilton 13 Mne Calum McCrae - CTCRM 14 Logs (CS) Josh Drauniniu - CTCRM 15 LAET Andy Vance - HMS Sultan 16 Mne Gareth Evans - 3 Cdo Bde 17 AB(WS) Marc Roberts - HMS Bulwark 18 AET Kelly Wise - RNAS Culdrose 19 NA(AH) Joji Volaisaya- RNAS Culdrose 20 POET(WE) Wayne John - HMS Liverpool 21 AB(Logs) Sili Buinimasi - HMS Ark Royal 22 POET(WE) Dane Smallbone - HMS Liverpool