ROYAL NAVY
The Royal Navy Men’s side have 23 Inter-Services titles to their name, with arguably their best triumph coming in the latest instalment of the competition. The Navy ended a seven-year wait for the Babcock Trophy earlier this year, in a 39-22 win at Twickenham Stadium. This victory was made all the more sweeter, as the Navy’s 2016 Inter-Services’ title came with the asterisk of a drawn match against the Army, with this win being the Navy’s first over their old rivals for a staggering 13 years.
The most recognisable rugby name in today’s Royal Navy, is Northampton Saints Hooker Sam Matavesi. The front rower was recently seen at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, as he packed down the scrum for Fiji, against Wales, Australia, Georgia, Portugal, and in the Pacific Islanders’ quarter-final exit to England.
The Navy Men bolster a strong contingent of players at National One and Two division clubs, with the likes of Plymouth Albion, Havant RFC and Chester represented throughout the squad. Here is a run-down of the Royal Navy’s international, Premiership and Championship rugby stars, in their men’s and women’s sides.
ROYAL NAVY MEN’S PLAYERS
Local Acting Leading Hand Sam Matavesi (Hooker/Back Row) – Northampton Saints and Fiji
Aircraft Engineer Technician Jerome Rudder (Wing) – Philippines Sevens
Lieutenant Royal Marines Jarrard Hayler (Back Row) – Cornish Pirates, Hartpury University
Air Engineering Technician Jordan Gott (Fly Half) – Belgium (15s and 7s)
Marine Tony Papp (Back Row) – Hungary (15s and 7s)
ROYAL NAVY WOMEN’S PLAYERS
Sub Lieutenant Rhian Perry (Scrum Half) – Ospreys
Aircraft Handler Yvonne Mealy (Lock) – London Irish
Air Engineer Officer Olivia Critchley-Peddle (Back Row) – Harlequins, Bristol Bears and Bath
Marine Engineer Heather Addison-Prout (Back-Row) – Saracens