The Royal Navy Rugby Union is delighted to announce that Lieutenant Commander Chris Roberts MSM RN has been selected as the new Director of Rugby to replace Captain Roger Readwin RN. Chris will take up his new position of Director of Rugby on 5 May 2019 on completion of the Army v Navy Game at Twickenham. On being informed of his selection, Chris said "It is an honour and a privilege to be selected as the Director of Rugby and being responsible for the 5 Representatives sides gives me a great sense of pride", he continued, "Playing representative rugby for the Royal Navy is the pinnacle of many rugby players' careers, it is special and only a few people achieve the goal. I a...
An inexperienced Royal Navy Rugby Union Senior XV travelled to Oxford to face a well-drilled Oxford team preparing for their Varsity match against Cambridge in December. The aim of the match was to expose a range of new players, many identified at the recent RNRU talent spotting roadshows, to a higher level of rugby. It was cold evening in Oxford as the two teams stepped onto the pitch. Sam Benzie, experienced Royal Navy Rugby Union 7s player and frequent team captain for the Sharks, led his team out. The Navy team were a mix of junior, relatively inexperienced players, many of whom had come to the attention of the team management at the recent series of Rugby roadshows hel...
The first match of the 2018 Inverdale Challenge competition was an impressive win for the home side, the Royal Marines, who beat the team from Royal Navy North 43 - 7. The Royal Marines always field a strong team, but especially so when playing at Lympstone.
However the team from north of the border should not be too disappointed. It is to their credit that they managed to get sufficient players to travel to contend the match, especially at this busy time of year. The other match played this week, between the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Navy Eastern team at Yeovil RFC saw the defending champions notch up a win, FAA 26 - 5 RN East. In the second round RN North will travel to Portsmouth...
The annual inter-region and Command rugby competition kicks off on Wednesday with four of the five teams in action. The Inverdale Challenge allows the five regional and Command sides to compete against each other over the next twelve weeks, culminating with the final to be played at United Services Sports Ground in Portsmouth on 30 January 2019. The five teams represent the Royal Marines, the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy East, Royal Navy West and Royal Navy North. The Fleet Air Arm are the current champions and have won the competition 8 times in its 22 year history. They will be keen to retain the title this year so they draw level with the Royal Marines who have ...
It was a hard night for the Royal Navy Rugby Union Under 23s when they faced Portsmouth RFC, who fortunately stepped in at short notice to ensure the Navy Under 23 side got an essential preparation game ahead of their Inter Service matches in November. The half time score was 0 - 10 but by the end of the night Portsmouth were resounding winners 0 - 36, their experience getting the better of the younger side. Portsmouth RFC started strongly, attacking the inexperienced Royal Navy Rugby Union Under 23 side. They quickly gained territory and crossed the 10m line. The Navy team managed to stop their progress and showed spirited defence on the 22m line. The Navy side ...
