Inter Services Rugby Union: Can the RAF win back the Inter Services?

After a gripping and hair-raising first round of Inter Services rugby in Plymouth three weeks ago, the British Army now enter the fray as they host the RAF for a double-header in Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester.

The Army are yet to make their mark in this year's championships, as the RAF's men's and women's teams look to stake their final claim on the Inter Services trophy. 

The RAF women have brought in their big guns after their successful outing in Plymouth, where they beat the Navy 10-17.

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International stars Amy Cokayne, Carys Williams-Morris and Sarah Bonar have taken a break from their Six Nations duties to add more depth to the RAF's already strong team as they prepare to face the Army side. 

The RAF did manage to better the Navy in the absence of their international stars, with young talent Chelcey Greasley scoring a stunning hat-trick to help the light blues to their 10-17 victory. 

After winning a historic title in 2019, the RAF will be looking to replicate their success and will be more motivated to do so after losing the title to the Army last year. 

The Army women got the better of the RAF women at last year's Inter Services, taking a 24-10 win over the light blues, with debutant Courtney Pursglove emerging as the star of the show with tries for the reds.

The RAF men would have been disappointed not to have walked away from Plymouth with a win after a rare 13-13 tie with the Navy. It means that if they want any chance of winning the Inter Services trophy, they will need to win big against the Army in Gloucester. 

The RAF men last won the Inter Services in 2018, a considerable feat they hope to repeat in a game traditionally dominated by the Army. 

Last year, the Army men beat the RAF 35-20, with Bath player Semesa Rokoduguni and debutant Jack Johnson coming through for the reds. 

All six matches from this year's tournaments will be shown exclusively LIVE on the Forces News YouTube channel, while serving personnel can also catch up via BFBS TV.

The women's game gets under way at 10:45 GMT with the men's game beginning at 15:00 GMT.

Find out how you can follow all the action from the Rugby Union Inter Services here.

Key players

Amy Cokayne - Royal Air Force Women

With 72 England caps to her name, the inclusion of Amy Cokayne in the RAF's women's squad is a crucial turn of events in the fight for the women's Inter Services trophy. The hooker played for England in the Women's World Cup in New Zealand, where she scored three tries in the final. Also a player for the Harlequins, Cokayne was part of the RAF team that won the Inter Services in 2019. 

Bethan Dainton - British Army Women

Dual code international Bethan Dainton starts for the Army Women against the RAF. Dainton has represented Wales in rugby union at both 15-a-side and in rugby sevens. The former Harlequins player made the switch to rugby league last year where she won a call up to the national side. The soldier, who serves with the Royal Artillery, made her Women's Super League debut for Leeds Rhinos on Easter Sunday. The Bombardier was named as player of the tournament for the UK Armed Forces side at the International Defence Rugby Competition in New Zealand last autumn. 

Dave Manning – Royal Air Force Men

An experienced player, Dave Manning re-signed for the Henley Hawkes from Newport RFC last year for the 2022/23 season after a few years in the Midlands Premier, where he helped the Shropshire outfit to comfortably win their league to gain promotion to National 2 West.

Senitiki Nayalo - British Army Men

Back rower Senitiki "Shane" Nayalo is among a powerful set of players for the Army team. The number eight has been a key player for Coventry this campaign, helping his club side to third place in the RFU Championship. A previous player for Edinburgh and London Irish the Gunner will add plenty of experience to the Army pack.

Did you know?

If the RAF men beat the Army and were to be crowned champions, they would lift the Inter Services trophy at the famous Army v Navy game Twickenham Stadium. 

The last time a scenario like this occured was in 2015, when the RAF hocked the forces rugby world not once, but twice, in securing a comeback draw against the Navy before stunning the Army with a historic 33-29 victory at Aldershot.

When the Army and the Navy met at Twickenham, the Army beat the Royal Navy 36-18 to hand the RAF their first Inter Services title in 21 years.