HMS Victory and the Portsmouth Guildhall was the backdrop as the 2015 International Defence Rugby Competition final got underway. Despite the inclement weather all the teams were in optimistic mood as they were shown around HMS Victory before moving to the Guildhall where General Lorimar formally welcomed all the teams.
For the Royal Navy it was a first opportunity to get a look at the other three sides that will compete in Pool1; Japan, New Zealand and their first opponents Fiji. All the matches will be played at US Portsmouth RFC with the other two pools being hosted by the Army and the RAF at Aldershot and RAF Halton respectively.
At the Guildhall each team was prese...
The Royal Navy Rugby Union’s new strip for the 2015/16 season will be launched today. The RN U23’s will run out in the new navy blue home strip as they play Hampshire U20’s at United Services Sports Ground, Portsmouth. KO 14:00
Earlier this week, players from the IDRC squad, Matt Bowden, Ben Priddey, Silivenusi Buinimasi, Greg Welling, Nathan Huntley, & Jarrard Hayler, showcased the new kit with a photoshoot. The players were released from their busy training schedule for an hour and were excited to be the first to wear the brand new Under Armour, Royal Navy Rugby Unions shirts.
The sunny October day provided the perfect opportunity, overlooking th...
A match played in four quarters, at the request of the respective head coaches, served both sides well. From a Royal Navy perspective all the players were given a decent amount of game time and various combinations looked at. And whilst they eventually succumbed 27-19, in the second quarter the Navy U23 XV produced rugby which should serve as their blue print for the season.
It was Hampshire who started the game the more composed and assured. They starved the Royal Navy of possession and as the home team’s defence took a while to settle they were able to break the gain line and regularly threaten to cut loose and score. Aided by some needlessly conceded p...
A very busy seven days of Navy Rugby continues on Sunday at US Portsmouth’s Burnaby Road ground when the Royal Navy U23 XV entertains Hampshire U20s on their first step towards the 2015 Inter Service championship. The squad has a full programme before the 11 November championship opener away to the Royal Air Force and they will be looking to set out their stall on Sunday before consolidating against Havant midweek.
A successful open invitation trial weekend at the start of last month has allowed the recruitment net to be cast across the Fleet and the first team selection includes a number of players new to Royal Navy representative rugby. Indeed only three players, H...
A flawless opening five minutes was followed by a mix of frenetic, forceful and at time frustrating rugby as the Royal Navy beat Blackheath 25-17 in a lively encounter at the Rectory Field. Though always in control and capable of some excellent play the Navy’s match rustiness showed, at times, as they failed to fully shake off a determined and dogged Blackheath team. They will have benefitted from the much needed shake down and have solid foundations to their game as they approach Fiji, in the opening match of the International Defence Forces Rugby Cup but know that they will need to reduce their unforced error count if they are to reach their evident potential.
Afte...
