Rugby Union

"To promote, develop, administer and finance rugby football in the Royal Navy throughout the world in support of the Rugby Football Union"

For many, Navy Rugby is one game each May at Twickenham the Army v Navy match. However Navy rugby and the Royal Navy Rugby Union are more than just one game. Although the 1st XV, quite rightly, is the focus of everyone's attention during the Inter Service Championship, the RNRU exists to facilitate rugby at all levels from the 1st XV to the smallest ship.

Away from the various Navy Representative teams (1st XV, A, U21, Women and Veterans) the RNRU organise a number of competitions during the season in both the fifteen and seven aside games. Three knockout cups, mini, midi and maxi, are run exclusively for the ships of the Fleet. The middle of December always sees the final of the RNRU Knockout Cup. This competition is open to all Establishments, Ships and Royal Marine Units and provides a fitting finale to the first half of the season. Another important competition in the Navy Rugby season is the Blakeney Cup. Here the five Commands of the Fleet Air Arm, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Royal Marines and Scotland compete over a week for the right to be called RNRU Command Champions and the opportunity to represent the RNRU at an overseas tournament. The Command teams provide the opportunity for many more rugby players to enjoy the challenges imposed by representative rugby.

The RNRU is a Constituent Body of the Rugby Football Union and as such has a role in the evolution of the game in England. As well as the playing side of the game it also has responsibilities towards developing the game through coaching seminars and courses; administrating the game, including a disciplinary function and officiating the games through the provision of referees and touch judges.

Further details can be found by visiting the following site:

Royal Navy Rugby Union main site