Mike Connolly’s Navy Rugby Select XV
The first of the invitational dream teams has been selected and can be found on its own page @ ‘Royal Navy Invitational Select XV’. The first side has been chosen by current Navy Mariners Head Coach Mike Connolly as recognition of forty years of delivering results as player and coach for Navy Rugby. Some great names in the side.
Inter Services Build Up Continues
As the season hurtles to wards the Inter Services and the Army Navy finale all three Services are ramping up their preparations. Like the Navy the Army will be looking at the causes of their defeat at the hands of Worcester Warriors. Worcester’s match report and picture of Navy Winger Josh Drauniniu in full flow can be found here.
Josh was on the score sheet in the 27-10 victory.
The RAF are in action next week when they travel to Northampton for a game. Later in the month they take on Navy Rugby’s next opponents Irish Defence Force so they will no doubt be taking a keen look at Thursday game at Burnaby Rd. This is a slightly earlier than normal kick off at 19:00 and is always a hard physical encounter.
If Thursday is a bad night for you then there is a double bill of Navy Rugby action at Burnaby Rd the night before. At 17:00 the Mariners take the British Police and this game is followed at 19:30 when Navy Rugby’s Women team play against Trojans. In answer to a question I set last month this match (lets hope it goes ahead) will be the first time when RN(W) capped players will appear on the team sheet. See here for back ground.
Don’t Forget the French
The first capped game of the season is 11 April, in Toulon, when both the Seniors and the Women take on their counterparts from the Marine Nationale. Preparations are going well in the South of France and this week their men play two matches against Narbonne and also Toulon’s Espoirs (A team). Their women are also in action against Genevillois who play in the French Federations second division. A great day of rugby in Toulon beckons.
Barden Continues to Lead England
England have announced a couple of new players in their England Sevens Squad which continues to be led by Royal Marine Greg Barden. The team fly out for the annual Hong Kong Sevens (which is held 23-25 March) later this week and then will go on to Japan for the next leg of the iRB HSBC World Series Sevens.
You will note from the RFU’s press release that Army player Isoa Damu Damu is not traveling to Japan.
Navy Rugby followers are likely to see him back in his Army shirt before the Army Navy match, Twickenham 28 April.
Proud Heritage – Run Silent Run Deep
One for the submariners this time. In the Second World War manned torpedoes (chariots) were used. A capped Navy Rugby player and England International has a notable claim to fame linked to the use of these Chariots. Who was he and what is his claim to fame?
Coming Next
I will be posting images from all three games next week as well as publishing the next dream team and hopefully adding a couple more names to the Navy Rugby Great Players.
Geraint
Leave a Reply