Hampshire will be the final test for the unbeaten Senior XV before they travel to Toulon and the 12th Babcock International Trophy match against Marine Nationale. Hampshire are managed by former Royal Navy stalwart, Si Burns, who is sure to ensure that the County side are well set up for the encounter. For Hampshire it is an early season shakedown before they open their County Championship match at home to Dorset and Wilts on 30th April. For those who were unable to get tickets for the sell out Army Navy match, on the same day, perhaps a trip to Gosport and Fareham RFC may be an alternative option.
For the Senior XV there are a couple of changes as they ensure the whole squad gets suf...
The Royal Navy inflicted the first defeat of the season for Richmond Vikings through a remarkable and in the end heroic defensive performance at the Athletic ground. Having regained the lead, through two tries from rolling mauls, they withstood a late Richmond Vikings onslaught camped on their own line as the game reached its finale. With wave after wave of Vikings raids being launched towards the Navy’s line, the Royal Navy’s defence became ever more resolute and as importantly disciplined. With no way through Richmond resorted to a couple of drop goal attempts, the first charged down by man of the match, Ben Fox. The second pushed wide, was the final...
Richmond, a club with strong Royal Navy links, are enjoying a renaissance at present and will provide the Royal Navy with their sternest test of the season so far. February has now passed and the three wins have laid a solid foundation for the remainder of the Inter Service preparations. But the games against Richmond Vikings, Hampshire and the visit to the cauldron of Toulon’s Stade Mayol for the capped game against Marine Nationale, will go along way to defining what can be expected come the end of April.
The struggles of Richmond in the early days of professional rugby are well documented. The days when they fielded an all star cast including former Royal Na...
