The British Army regained the Under-23 Inter Service Championships title this November, but the margins could not have been much closer between the three teams.
The Army finished their campaign with a 19-9 win over the Royal Air Force, having lost 10-15 to the Royal Navy in Round 1. But the Navy were unable to seal success against the RAF, the light blues prevailing 19-13 in Basingstoke.
So, the title’s destination came down to points difference, with the Army (+5) pipping the RAF (+4) and Navy (-1).
“Ultimately I’m just pleased for the boys and we can carry some momentum into next season,” says Army Under-23 Head Coach, Gareth Slade-Jones. “They’ve been good lads and it’s re-energised me as an old dog to work with them – I’d like to hope some of them have the energy to go on and play for the Seniors in the next couple of months.”
Attention now turns to the Senior and Masters Inter Service Championships, which return in the spring to Brickfields Stadium in Plymouth (Saturday, April 20), Twickenham Stadium, the home of England Rugby, (Saturday, May 4) and Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium (Saturday, May 11).
Tickets for Army v Navy are now on sale, with prices starting at just £25 for adults and £10 for Under-16s. Book online now via the RFU Ticket Office
Tickets for the Royal Navy’s clash with the Royal Air Force are also now on sale, with serving personnel and veterans able to book for £8 and adults for £10. Under-16s have free admittance. Book online now via the Plymouth Albion website.
Image: © Alligin Photography