RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

Following its 34 million euro refit the Stade Léo Lagrange hosted the women’s match between the Marine Nationale and the Royal Navy. The excellent pitch and facilities certainly inspired the home team as they continued their unbeaten run in the series with another convincing win. The early match was characterised by too many unforced errors although it was clear from the outset that the Royal Navy Women were under significant pressure to get any meaningful ball. The Marine Nationale Feminines pressurised them at lineout, scrum and tackle and it is to the RN’s credit that the home side had to wait until the fourteenth minute for their first try. It was the centre par...

Though they knew what was coming there was little the Royal Navy could do to repel a Marine Nationale onslaught at the Stade Mayol tonight.  La Marseillaise was the start, a raucous Pilou Pilou took the emotion to another level and then from the referee’s first whistle the Marine Nationale played with passion, emotion and no little skill.  High tempo rugby, the rucks were fiercely cleared, the attack varied and the defence unyielding.  It proved a match winning combination. After the first quarter all they had to show for their dominance was two penalties kicked by their impressive fly half.  He had missed a third and also missed an attempted drop goal. ...

Two great names from history, Horatio Nelson and Charles de Gaulle linked through rugby, but how? Side by side.  The Royal Navy and the Marine Nationale, an entente cordial Like the alphabet it starts with A, B, C and a step back to 2005.  It might not be the first thought in terms of celebrating 200 years of Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar to invite the French but that is what happened in 2005.  The RNRU’s Council Member, Judge Jeff Blackett, persuaded the RFU that a match between the Royal Navy and France’s Marine Nationale would be the perfect prelude to the Six Nations international between England and France, and also appropriate rugby rec...

Barbarian by name BaaBaa’s by nature.  By kind permission of the Barbarian RFC the Royal Navy took on a South West Barbarian team at Taunton in what turned out to be a high paced, highly entertaining game.  The SW BaaBaa’s starting line up were predominantly Exeter Chiefs and Plymouth Albion players, who had a clear intent; put the ball wide and hit it with pace and power and from the start that is what happened, catching many of the navy players in their headlights, demonstrated by the opening try in the 2 nd minute, by eventual man of the match Cornish Pirates Luke Jones. Barbarian by name BaaBaa’s by nature.  By kind permission of the Barbarian RFC...

Following swiftly on the heels of victories by the Royal Air Force and the British Army a rapier like performance by the Royal Navy regularly cut through the student’s defence as the Senior Service posted a comfortable 64 – 19 victory.  A good number of Navy supporters had travelled to Cambridge for the match and they will return warmed by the high tempo rugby that the Navy produced.  They will also know that next week’s match against the South West Barbarians will be a step up before the cauldron of Stade Mayol awaits in Toulon. Dale Sleeman led the Royal Navy out and also immediately set the tone for his side.  A blistering break saw him cut through ...