Scotthorne Returns to the Senior Squad
Navy Rugby are pleased to report that U23 captain, Mne (Dennis) Scotthorne (42 Cdo RM), survived a thorough examination of his shoulder yesterday in a full contact session and will be fit to take his place on the bench. The lineout specialist, who led the U23's to Inter Service success, dislocated the shoulder in the final few minutes of the win against Irish Defence Forces where his lineout work had been a constant thorn in the IDF's lineout as well as providing quality ball for the Navy backline. Since then he has followed an intensive rehabilitation programme supervised by Navy Head Physio Pippa Band (HMS Nelson) and conditioning coach POPT (Sean) Cole (HMS Raleigh).
The squad is reduced slightly with 4 of their players remaining with the Combined Services U23's. Navy Rugby followers who break with the car park tradition and go in to watch the earlier match should see another cracking game of rugby as CS U23 seek to avenge last year's defeat to the Oxbridge side.
This year the CS team have had a good win against Middlesex and were leading an Osprey side before being pipped at the final whistle. The Navy will be strongly represented with hopefully 5 players being part of the team. Though this may sound a little low there will also be another 5 players in the Royal Navy Senior team, an excellent return from this years U23 team.
More information on the CS U23 selection for the Oxbridge game, later this week.