Army Development Rugby Team Suffer Defeat After Red Card

The Army's development rugby team have suffered defeat at the hands of the Royal Artillery in Aldershot.

A 22-16 win for the Gunners was the first Army under-23s match in nearly two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The match provided players with a chance to stake their claim for November's Inter Services squad.

• Rugby Union: How To Watch UKAF Women's Clash Vs French Forces LIVE
• 'Ready And Raring To Go': UKAF Women Prepare For French Rugby Battle
• Introducing The New Forces Sport Podcast

New Army U23s head coach Captain Gareth Slade-Jones will have been disappointed with the loss but was quick to take the positives from the action.

He said: "It's been a difficult situation because we haven't inherited a team, as such, with the U23s, we've had a two-year absence.

"Luckily, we found some little gems that we can develop ready for November.

"We had a good chat with the team and just showed them players that have come through the pipeline and managed to play for the seniors and internationals.

"We're just trying to get that message across that this team isn't a stopgap. There is a career, as such, within there."

Watch: New Army Head Coach Captain Gareth Slade-Jones speaks after the defeat to the Royal Artillery.

This year's Inter Services will be unlike previous years as the pandemic has meant no team could work on a tactic or squad for two years.

Despite that, Cpt Slade-Jones is expecting the usual hard-hitting action to recommence.

"It's Inter Services rugby," he said. "It's going to be hard work."

"It's going to be hard – it doesn't matter what year you are in. Two years after COVID? It doesn't matter.

"It's going to be a hard-fought battle between all three services," he added.