Community Competitions

RNRU Inverdale Challenge Trophy

This season’s Inverdale Challenge Trophy will be competed for between October 22 - January 23, in accordance with the Royal Navy Rugby Union structured season.

The aim of the Inverdale Challenge is to provide a competitive competition at a Regional level exposing players to a higher standard of rugby than Unit standard, thus creating a players playing pathway. This will also provide an opportunity for representative team management to look at players in a competitive environment for possible representative teams.

Eligibility

A Regional team competing in the Inverdale Challenge is not permitted to select more than 8 capped players (Senior XV Only). Should a capped player not be involved in a Service Capped fixture for 1 consecutive season, then he would become eligible again for selection in the Inverdale Challenge. Player eligibility for Regional/Corp teams is as follows:

• Royal Marines. The Royal Marines team comprises all Royal Marines personnel ashore and afloat assigned/appointed to Royal Marine units.

• Fleet Air Arm. Team comprises all personnel, including all those on the trained strength of the Fleet Air Arm who are assigned or appointed to an Air Station or associated Unit/Air Station. Fleet Air Arm personnel (trained strength) assigned or appointed to AESD (HMS SULTAN) are also included. General/Submarine Service personnel appointed to an Air Station can only play for their respective geographical Naval Base. For example; General Service at RNAS Culdrose plays for RN West, General Service at RNAS Yeovilton plays for RN East.

• Portsmouth, Plymouth, Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland.  All RN personnel shall compete for the Region within whose geographical limits their Establishments are situated. In the event of either Plymouth or Scotland encountering difficulties in raising competitive teams, a combined team will be formed. The final decision on this matter will be made by the Rugby Development Officer taking into account the recommendation of the Regional Warrant Officers.

• Fleet. Fleet personnel are eligible to compete for the geographical region in which they are based.

• Second Claim.  Players not selected as a first claim for their respective Region/Corp can, subject to prior mutual agreement by the Rugby Development Officer and appropriate Team Management, play as a second claim for the Region/Corp within whose geographical area they are situated as detailed in BR 3 Chap 24 Article 2412 d(1).  Other players not required by their first claim Region can, subject to prior agreement, be claimed by any other Region. Players so claimed must not compete, in that competition, for other Regions.

RNRU 7’s Competition

The RNRU 7’s competition is a free-flowing game based on pace and power over the course of its short matches. The shortness of games (7 minutes each way, 1 minute half time) enables plenty of matches to be played during the competition which is completed over a day. The game has grown in popularity within the community and is programmed this season for Wed 8 June 22.

For additional information, the 7’s game has had a presence at Commonwealth Games since 1998 and has now been granted full Olympic status making its debut in the 2016 Olympics. Also, there are several big International competitions including World Rugby 7’s World Series and the Rugby World Cup 7’s.