Rugby Players Who Served Time in the Military

The speedster served in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Fijian-born, he is the most successful military player in men’s rugby today. Despite operational commitments and a demanding job, he plays for Bath and has attained International status, having represented England since 2014.

Wainwright managed to maintain a professional rugby career alongside his military life. Having been commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps as a doctor, he went on to achieve 37 caps for Scotland and also played for the British and Irish Lions.

Tim Rodber played for the British and Irish Lions as well as for England, earning 44 caps. Throughout his professional rugby career, he served in the army as a Captain in the Green Howards Regiment.

Former World Cup winner, Josh Lewsey passed out of Sandhurst in 2001 and joined the Royal Artillery. For two years he juggled his professional rugby life with his military career before resigning his commission. In 2009 Lewsey retired from international rugby.

Carling commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Wales before resigning to concentrate on his professional rugby career. He was the youngest ever England Captain at the age of 22. He achieved 72 caps for England and represented the British and Irish Lions.

Gemma has played rugby since she was 15 years old. Starting off with 7s before sampling her first 15s game at the U20s England Trials. Having played for Exeter University, she’s now a regular player for the Army and Combined Services Teams as well as her Premiership club, Wasps. She has since earned her first International cap for Wales.

Bee is a talented sportswoman who started to play rugby at the age of 15. She began her first season with the AGC and Army team in 2011, having spent previous years playing competitive football.

Rosie took up rugby in 2008 during Phase 2 Training and has rapidly developed into a Premiership player.  She captained the Combined Services Squad in 2010 and has more recently played for Worcester.

The ex-Fijian international was a private in the Army serving with 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The lock will become the latest in a long line of players to move from London Irish to Bath Rugby in the summer. McNally, who also serves in the RAF, has spent the last two seasons with Irish. His form at the end of last season saw him invited by Eddie Jones to train with England.