RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

Rugby World Cup 2015 has only just reached the half way stage of the pool stages but already the tournament has proved a headline writers’ dream.  It was always going to be the biggest World Cup ever, but thanks primarily to Japan the tournament received an additional impetus that few of the organisers could possibly have dreamed off.  On the 5^th October Japan’s Defence Force rugby team will join eleven other Defence Forces from around the world, at the Guildhall Portsmouth, for the opening ceremony of the 2^nd International Defence Forces’ Rugby Cup.  Drawn in the same pool as the Royal Navy and with an opening match at US Portsmouth against New Zealand on 8^th October they will look to their National side to provide additional inspiration.

The fourth side in the Royal Navy’s pool is Fiji and all the games will all be played at US Portsmouth.  However prior to this the Navy have a condensed period of training, at their Fort Blockhouse base, which includes a run out against Blackheath at Blackheath’s Rectory ground on Friday.  The squad, captained once more by Ben Priddey, contains many familiar names from the last Inter Service campaign, with a couple of returning players and a few looking to push their claims for Senior colours following success with the U23 XV and the Sharks.

Up front the Fleet Air Arm continue their dominance of front row rugby, supplying five of the six players.  Royal Marine, Harry Collins, prevents it being a clean sweep and will continue to challenge skipper Ben Priddey at hooker whilst Kyle Mason, Josh Terry, Tom Blackburn are joined by the ever green Mariner, John Court as the selected props.

Behind the front row the Royal Navy will welcome back Ian Cooper, who missed both the 2014 and 2015 Inter Services and also the versatile Ben Fox, who has been away from the team for three years.  Both provide strong ball carrying options and will keep Edd Pascoe on his toes after his success in winning his first caps earlier this year.  The emerging and talented Joe Burton will look to build on the excellent form he showed in U23 colours last year and is bound to benefit from the experience of training and playing alongside Dave Fairbrother, who will bring to the squad his Newcastle Falcons experiences.  Finally Seti Raumakita and Jarryd Hayler are the two opensides selected, who have both been prominent for the Sharks over the summer.  One back five place remains to be filled due to a late withdrawal through injury.  The replacement will be announced later this week.

With the retirement of Dave Pascoe, Jonny Stephen is the experienced scrum half in the squad but will come under pressure from the ever-improving Cory Moore whilst Josh Jones and Richard Cadywould will both look to challenge Nathan Huntley for the fly half position.

The battle for the midfield starting shirts will probably be as intense as any in the squad.  Silivenusi Buinimasi continues in the form of his life but he knows that both Sam Benzie and Greg Loydall, following success with both the RN U23XV and Combined Services, will be challenging hard.  Matt Tichias will similarly be wary of an inform Darren Bamford as he seeks to continue his long run as first choice inside centre.

Jon Humphrey finished last season as the form player in the RN backline but is aware of the threat posed by the versatile Tom Davies.  Whilst Ben Chambers, fresh from success with the Sharks, will look to break the established wing partnership of the powerful Greg Welling and the elusive Matt Bowden.

In the inaugural Defence Forces’ Rugby World Cup the Royal Navy had to contend with a very unbalanced pool due to the limited number of sides in the Australian hosted competition.  This time the competition welcomes twelve sides from around the world with the Fijians first to examine the Royal Navy’s credentials.  Next up will be New Zealand Defence Forces whilst the final game will be against Japan.  With progress through to the quarter finals likely to be determined by bonus points and points difference there are unlikely to be any dead rubbers and each match will bring it’s own pressures and challenges.  With limited knowledge of the opposition the Royal Navy team will need to settle quickly and whilst withstanding what is sure to be a hugely physical examination, by Fiji, make sure they quickly assess the strengths and weaknesses of Japan and New Zealand.

Pool 2 will be hosted in Aldershot where the Army will seek to defend their trophy.  Having lost 71-0 to Glasgow Warriors in their last warm up match the Army will no doubt be working hard in camp this week as they prepare to face the challenge of Canada, Australia and the French Armed Forces.

The third and final pool will be hosted at RAF Halton where The Royal Air Force, fresh from their Inter Service triumph, will look to win a group including the challenge of Tonga, South Africa and Georgia.

Royal Navy Squad:

Pool 1 Round 1 US Portsmouth Thursday 8^th October
Japan v New Zealand - KO 15:00
Royal Navy v Fiji - KO 19:00

Next match
Blackheath v Royal Navy, Friday 2 Oct - KO 19:30

Article by Geraint Ashton Jones
Images by © Si Burns and Alligin Photography / © G Ashton Jones, © Lee Crabb & © M Andrews