Legendary sports broadcaster John Inverdale says Inter Service rugby should be cherished

One of sports broadcasting's most familiar faces, John Inverdale, says the Inter Service Championship is an integral part of the rugby year and should be cherished.

Inverdale, the son of former Royal Navy Rugby Union secretary and Life Member, Surgeon Captain (Dentist) John B Inverdale RN, recently presented the 2024 Inverdale Challenge trophy to the Royal Marines.

The Inverdale Challenge provides a stepping stone for players from ships and units to the Navy's representative teams, who all begin their Inter Service Championship campaign against the Royal Air Force in Plymouth this weekend.

• Royal Navy men's rugby team prepared to deal with pressure of being Inter Service champions
• Royal Navy beat Devonport Services in final match before Inter Service clash with RAF
• Prescott scores four tries as RAF men win final Inter Service preparation match against Rams

The Navy Mariners take on the RAF Vultures at Devonport Services RFC on Friday evening, with the senior women facing their RAF counterparts and the senior men beginning their quest to retain the overall title at Brickfields Stadium, Plymouth, on Saturday afternoon.

"The Inter Service Championship remains an integral part of the rugby calendar because it always has been, and is every sports' duty to cherish its history and heritage," Inverdale says.

"The first Navy-Army game I saw was more than 60 years ago and over that period there have been great games, good games and terrible games, all of which are just part of the memories created.

"Ultimately, as with all aspects of the sport, it's about the people met and the friendships made, that last a lifetime."

Friday night's game kicks off at 18:00hrs, and entry is free for all.

Tickets for Saturday's double header (Men KO 13:00 BST, Women KO 16:00) remain available at www.plymouthalbion.com/tickets.

Entry is £10 for adults, £8 for serving personnel and veterans, and free for under-16s.

Tickets also remain available for:

Army v Navy at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, 4 May, from www.eticketing.co.uk/rfu.

RAF v Army at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, on Saturday, 11 May, from www.eticketing.co.uk/gloucesterrugby..