Ever wanted to try rugby for the first time? Or haven't played for a while and want to find out how to get involved again? Or just fancy a bit of physical exercise and the opportunity to make some new friends? Whatever your level of fitness or previous rugby experience all Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel are welcome to attend grass roots rugby sessions run by your friendly RNRU Community Rugby Coaches.
Dave Wakefield, former RN Chief PTI, is the Community Rugby Coach in the Eastern Region and he is based in the RNRU Office at HMS TEMERAIRE. Spider Kelly, also a Naval veteran, is his opposite number in the Western Region and is based at the Wyvern Centre, HMNB Devonport. Togethe...
The RFU promotes its aims and objectives through its Constituent Body (CB) members. The RNRU is one of these bodies and as such is routinely invited to send members to a familiarisation day at Twickenham. On this occasion the lucky volunteers were coaches George Hillan and Bali Salisbury, Mariners’ player & Communications Team member Jamie Campbell-Baldwin, and Assistant Secretary Clare Valentine. With other CB members coming from as far north as Cumbria and Yorkshire and as far west as Cornwall and Devon the RFU rugby map was well represented. The open day provided an opportunity to talk to like-minded people and listen to those closely associated with ...
There were several changes to the Royal Navy Rugby Union Under 23 side who stepped out behind captain Ben Watson on Wednesday evening. Fleet-footed Rory Penfold started on the right wing and Sunday's try scorer Scott Makepeace moved from the backrow to the second row. It was a fast paced, high scoring match however the recently-formed home side were unable to overcome the experience and cohesiveness of the Havant team with the final score RNRU U23 29 Havant RFC 37. It was a fresh still night at the United Services sports ground and the Navy side started well playing some good running rugby and making several forays into the opposition 22. Despite this it was Havant who...
Ben Watson led his team out onto the pitch at Havant to face a Hampshire U20 side that recently beat the Army U23s 24-15 in Aldershot. However despite having the home town advantage, Hampshire couldn't capitalise on it, and the Royal Navy team finished victorious in their opening match of the season, winning 24 - 7.
The conditions were favourable; the sun was shining and a small crowd of spectators were treated to 80 minutes of entertaining rugby. Initially the Navy team dominated, pegging Hampshire deep in their own half. The home side were clearly feeling the pressure and conceded a penalty, from which Navy No 8, Scott Makepeace, was able to make a break, supported by Hayden W...
