Inter Services rugby rivals gather at Twickenham for launch event

Players and coaches from across the Armed Forces have gathered at Twickenham Stadium for the launch of the Inter Services championships as the build-up for the most anticipated event on the forces sporting calendar gets under way.

In the home of one of the fiercest rivalries in the history of rugby union in the Army v Navy game, skippers from the Navy, Army and RAF men's and women's teams participated in a day of promotional opportunities as the championships draws nearer.

It was also a rare chance for team managers and coaches to get together off the pitch before the teams knuckle down into their Inter Services preparations.

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"It's great to be here under unusual circumstances, but to bring all three services together is great," men's Royal Navy head coach Chief Petty Officer Dave Pascoe said.

Men's Army head coach Lieutenant Tim Osman added: "We've got a long way to go yet, but it is an exciting day to get all of the skippers and the coaching team to look at the start of what's running now.

"I think most of us have got games away against our French counterparts very soon and then we are into a six-week run into the Inter Services proper, so yes, exciting!"

Women's Army head coach Warrant Officer Class 2 Sarah Mitchelson added: "It's nice to start feeling excited about it and seeing the other services and meeting up here and starting to think about it, so yes, it's good."

England legends Paul Hull and Jason Robinson were in attendance at the launch and World Cup winner Robinson says that the forces and rugby go "hand in hand".

He said: "I think going into rugby after what they did is a great escape, the forces and rugby go hand in hand.

"If you've had a stressful job and you then get the opportunity to go and play rugby, you can let a lot of steam off.

"It is a great game and it just brings us all together and I think that's what makes these games so special.

"Here we are at the home of England Rugby and in May, we are going to have a huge, huge game here between the Army and the Navy and this Inter Services Championship is going to be fantastic."