RAF prepared for 'tough test' against Army in their Challenge Cup opener

The Royal Air Force will be getting their Betfred Challenge Cup campaign underway in an all-military tie against the British Army in the opening first round.

They will be travelling away to Aldershot, the home of the British Army, in what many may view as a rematch of the RAF's title-winning game at last year's Inter Services, where they clinched the title with a win over the Army.

The match is a replayed fixture after the first attempt in Aldershot was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

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The RAF will also have to do without some of their senior players who will be absent this weekend due to work commitments.

This opens the door for some fresh faces to be called upon, making this a brilliant opportunity to test new talent against their forces rivals.

Head coach Sergeant James Hutchinson said: "It's always difficult at this time of year, we've got a few lads away on operations at the minute.

"But we've still managed to pull a good squad together, we have got a few new lads as well that's joined up last year, and this is their first time with us now, so we are looking pretty strong."

Corporal Adam Middleton recently retired as a player but has now taken up a role within the RAF's coaching staff.

"We know what we need to do against these two teams really," he said.

"The Army are just going to try and go over the top of us, and we need to front up and that's something that I think we've done really well come the Inter Services last year.

"So, we spoke this morning about fronting up again and we have to really concentrate on being dominant up front."

RAF player Corporal Sam Roberts expects the Army to be a "tough test" for the team, despite their Inter Services success in 2024.

He said: "I don't think it will come into question at all because this Army team, they are very physical, they have got that little flair and that little dance and stuff like that.

"So we'll just go in with an open mind, we will do our processes correct and, if we get our structure set away, hopefully that can get past the Army but, by no mean feat, it's going to be a tough test."

This weekend's clash will be shown live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel and on BFBS TV for serving personnel only.

Coverage begins at 1:45pm UK time.