RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

ROYAL NAVY v ARMY INTER SERVICE CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 RN SENIOR XV

In front of a 70,000 crowd, the Royal Navy take-on the Army this Saturday in the annual battle between Blue and Red at Twickenham. Across the world, deployed forces will be joining in the rivalry and supporting their team.

For the Royal Navy it is a culmination of 12 month's work, as preparations for the next match start immediately after the game. Young players are ‘blooded' in the Navy Sharks 7s squad through the summer, developed during the U23 season prior to Christmas and ultimately, those that have displayed the skill, potential and desire make it to the Royal Navy Senior XV squad for a chance to play in the biggest game of their lives. Thirteen of the 22 players in the team on Saturday have come through this system with a number of others are in the wings, many playing for the Combined Services U23s against OxBridge in the curtain raiser.

DoR Cdr Andy Kellett commented 'The opportunities and development of players in the Navy has never been better. From the ‘Grassroots' games being played at Ship, Establishment and Unit level young players have the chance to be selected for the Inter-Command and Presidents squad which we all hope will lead them to representative games for the Navy Sharks and U23s, there is plenty of opportunity for young players to stake a claim and many have. A blend of this youth and some wiser heads is vital if we are to be competitive.'

Denotes Capped:

*Royal Navy
** Combined Services
+ International

However, before the main event at Kneller Hall kick-off 1030 the Royal Navy Women and the Royal Navy Mariners will face the Army women and Masters in their own Inter Service Championship 2013 decider.

Royal Navy Women 

The RN Women come to the final fixture of the 2012/13 season on the back of a brilliant victory against the RAF. It is always exciting to face the Army in an Inter Service championship deciding match and this year, the RN Women are focussed, determined and ready for the challenge.

This season has seen the Women face some tough opposition. Starting our season by playing the Australian Combined Services team in Portsmouth was an eye opener for our new Head Coach, Lt Dominic "Bali" Salisbury. The RN (W) rebounded from the defeat strongly, beating Paignton at our next match. The Squad has grown from strength to strength over the season, which meant that by the time we met the French Navy at Burnaby Road, we were ready for another difficult game. With the French Navy fielding a couple of French International players, they were always going to be tough to beat. However, I was really proud with performance, attitude and commitment of the RN Women in that game, which were things we carried forward to the match against the RAF.

Chairwomen of RN (W) Lt Cdr Kirsty Mellor said of the fixture ‘I am looking forward to this last game of the season. The RN Women have been training really hard to prepare for the fixture and I am sure that they will give a good performance today. We have a strong squad that contains talented players who are ready to take the game to the Army.'

The Royal Navy Women team will be selected from the following squad

Denotes Capped:

*Royal Navy
** Combined Services

ROYAL NAVY MARINERS

The Navy Mariners v Army Masters fixture will decide the 2013 Inter-Services Veterans competition as both teams were successful against the RAF Vultures. Coaches 'spying' on the other team's first round match returned with lots to consider as new names appeared on the team-sheet and new moves were rehearsed on the park.  The Mariners hope to show former Head Coach Mick Connolly that they have learnt from his years of mentoring and give new Head Coach, Chris Richards, the result which he has prepared us for.

Hopefully, after the disrupted season to date, the weather gods will smile and the game will be played at pace on a good surface. Please show respect for our match officials while exhorting your team to give of their best. I am certain that our Core Values of Courage, Commitment, Discipline, Respect, Integrity and Loyalty will be on display once again at Kneller Hall.

Chairman of the RN Mariners Cdr (Andy) Phenna said of the fixture ‘The squad played extremely well against the Vultures to secure a good win and it provided evidence that the hard work on the training pitch is starting to pay dividends. However, the squad and coaches are under no illusion that game on Saturday will be a greater challenge and a challenge that I know the squad is ready to meet'.

Royal Navy Mariners Team will be selected from the following squad

Denotes Capped:

*Royal Navy
** Combined Services

Inter Service Championship Results

Wed 10 Apr 2013

RAF Halton

RAF Senior XV 26 v 55 Royal Navy Senior XV 

RAF Women 3 v 10 Royal Navy Women

RAF Vultures 3 v 45 Royal Navy Mariners

Wed 17 Apr 2013

Aldershot

Army 33 v 18 RAF

Army Women 62 v 0 RAF Women

Army Masters 68 v 0 RAF Vultures

COMBINED SERVICES U23 v COMBINED OXBRIDGE

The Royal Navy are pleased to announce that following Navy U23 have been selected in the squad to face OxBridge on Sat 27 Apr as a ‘curtain raiser' to the Royal Navy v Army.

Combined Services DoR Lt Cdr ‘Doc' Cox said ‘It is with great honour that I have the privilege to announce the playing squad for this years match against a Combined OxBridge side.

The coaching staff have been exceedingly impressed by the high calibre of players all three services have put forward. Selection was made especially hard, which is not a bad position to be in, due to the stoic performances by all during the trial match against a Hampshire select last Sunday and individually on the training paddock.

Although there were some disappointments within the set-up by not making the playing squad; this was a reflection of the immensely difficult selection process we have been graced with.

As CS DoR I know we will field the best possible representative side available this Saturday and before kick off would like to thank the coaching staff and TSG for their hard work and un-floundered support.

This years shirt selection colour is a reflection of the 'strength in unity' approach by fusing players from three services into one team and the Combined ethos we now intend to engender at the nexus between single Service and Combined Services Rugby'.