On a crisp dry night in Plymouth, the Navy produced one of their best performances in a long time to overwhelm a physical, well drilled Marine Nationale side. “Only a win will do” was the pre-match battle cry from Dave Pascoe, but the way in which the Senior XV outclassed their opponents exceeded all expectations. As expected the first 20 minutes were extremely physical, with both teams trying to gain a foothold in front of a large crowd at Plymouth Albion RFC. With the score at 6-3 in the Navy’s favour there came an important moment in the match. The French were appearing to tire and run out of ideas when Chris Robinson produced a monstrous tackle that swung th...
The Royal Navy Rugby Union Women played Marine Nationale at HMS Drake. The atmosphere was one of trepidation as the game kicked off and the old rivalry between the two teams re-kindled with the French side kicking the ball into the grey Spring sky above the heads of the many spectators. A knock-forward and the first scrum, visitors put in, and immediately French muscle was on show with the ball out and the Marine Nationale forwards grinding across the home side’s 10 m line and onwards through a passage of loose play. But the French juggernaut was penalised and Navy Rugby kicked safely to touch. The first half was to be dominated by Navy Rugby’s ferocious tackling and no soone...
“Only a win will do” was the battle cry from Dave Pascoe as he named his squad to face the Marine Nationale. This is a special fixture that captures the interest of rugby fans around the world, and on Wednesday night the two sides will go toe to toe in Plymouth. The Navy will be approaching the fixture full of confidence after two outstanding wins over Exeter Braves and British Police, and Dave Pascoe has rewarded performance in his squad selection. Josh Terry returns after a three year absence due to pilot training; he joins Ben Priddey and Plymouth Albion’s Chris Robinson in the front row. Ben Watson makes up the second row with the new Captain, Scott Makepeace...
"This is our year to beat the French!" stated John Manners, RNRU Women's Head Coach, as the squad went into their training camp prior to facing the Marine Nationale Feminines. Women’s rugby within the Royal Navy has continued to grow in strength and confidence, following a second successful season running a development side. Rose Dixon will Captain the squad, and whilst she only joined the team during the Army Navy game 2018 having joined the Royal Navy only 14 months ago, this is her first full season with the RNRU Women. However, playing her weekly rugby at Wasps, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience onto the pitch during training and in games. P...
The Navy produced a classy display against a ginormous, physically strong British Police side, to make it two wins from two this season. Tries from Gobey, Matavesi, Rees, Priddey and Myers saw the Senior XV win comfortably, and grow in confidence ahead of this week’s crunch fixture against the Marine Nationale. The first half saw both teams display their attacking intent with a total of 51 points scored. The Navy got off to a great start with Troy Gobey dotting down early, before ill-discipline gave the Police and opportunity to kick to the corner and their forwards to go over. This was a familiar pattern for the remainder of the half with the Navy playing some wonderful rugby an...
