'It's all to play for': Army men prepare to defend Inter Services Rugby Union title
Army Rugby Union Men's Head Coach, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Osman, says he expects any Inter Services game "to be tough, regardless" as his team prepare to launch their title defence against the RAF on Saturday.
The Army men have been training in Aldershot alongside the women's team, who will also be defending their title this year.
They will travel to Kingsholm Stadium, the home of Gloucester Rugby, where the men's team will look to take advantage of the RAF's 13-13 draw against the Navy in Plymouth a few weeks ago.
A win against the RAF would put the Army in a strong position to win the Inter Services before they face the Navy at Twickenham on 13 May.
Lt Col Osman said: "Any Inter Services game is tough, regardless of whether we are playing the RAF or the Navy.
"I know the RAF like to play a quick game, they didn't have that opportunity clearly against the Navy on a pretty damp March day down in Plymouth.
"But we are expecting a decent team, they are well organised, fire power, they like to defend and they like to play, so it's all to play for."
With a number of high profile players retiring from Army rugby last season, the defending champions go into their clash with the Airmen missing the household names of previous years.
Lt Col Osman said: "It's part of life though, isn't it? You've got to get on with it.
"Some door closes for a few people and obviously the opportunity arises for other people, and it's up to them to take it.
"So yes, it's exciting to have the opportunity, you can't teach experience very much but you have a lot of talent and a lot of enthusiasm come to fill their shirts, so we are looking forward to it."
The Army men will kick off their Inter Services campaign against the RAF at 15:15 GMT on Saturday 15 April which will be shown LIVE on Forces News YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Find out more about how you can watch here.
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