Inter-Services Preview: Navy Hoping To Halt RAF Rugby Stars' Title Dreams

After the RAF men scored a 20-19 win over the Army last week, this year's Inter-Services Championship is, yet again, a wide-open tournament.

The Air Force could take the title when they meet the Royal Navy at the Twickenham Stoop this Friday but the Senior Service has, obviously, got other plans.

Fort Blockhouse in Gosport is a long way from Harlequins' home ground in West London - but the Navy team is pleased with its preparation ahead of a crucial crunch.

With the defending champions, the Army, already beaten the sailors will be looking to spoil the RAF's party.

The Royal Navy's captain, Leading Physical Training Instructor Ben Priddey, said:

"As a playing squad we've got to concentrate on our game. We've just got to go on Friday - as the RAF will be [seeing it] as their cup final - we've got go with the same mentality."

The Navy last won the championship in 2016 following a 29-29 draw against the Army at Twickenham.

So the players know what takes is to win and a new coaching set-up this year has the Navy's most-capped player Dave Pascoe take the reins.

One man who can't wait to show the boss what he can do is Leading Air Engineer Technician Ben Chambers, who joined the Navy rugby set-up a couple of years ago having initially been a footballer.

This year will be his first competitive Inter-Services. He said:

"It's very exciting for me. It feels like I've worked quite hard and I'm glad I've got the opportunity to play this Friday... [I'm] looking forward to the season."

Able Seaman Brad Janes, meanwhile, is a newbie and unlikely to play this year but will enjoy the benefits of being in and around the squad.

Down the road at HMS Collingwood, the Navy women are in their first week of a three-week training camp.

Their skipper, Leading Seaman Sam Alderson, says the push to become more professional always at the heart of what they do:

"We've got a whole new team, a whole new coaching set-up and also people are playing a lot more regular rugby with clubs.

"That's definitely bringing people along and developing them - so that's great."

The RAF put on a battling first-half display in their first match against the Army but eventually went down 10-0.

The Navy women, however, are itching to compete.

While players like LS Alderson and her vice-captain Lieutenant Helen Stevenson have years of experience in this team, Medical Assistant Hannah Cole is fresh in but has rugby pedigree.

She's been playing for a club since she was 14.

You can see how both the men's and women's teams get on when the action kicks off at the Stoop on Friday night.

The women's game is at 3.15pm, while the men's begins at 7.45 - and you can follow all the action through our live coverage right here on Forces Network!