RAF rugby coaching changes: Who has been appointed to lead the team in 2025?

The RAF have revealed their new-look coaching team to lead them into the 2025 Inter Service campaign.

Flight Sergeant Tom Gardner will take over as head coach after Flight Sergeant Justin Coleman's departure was announced last month.

Joining FS Gardner will be Flight Lieutenant Dave Manning as player/forwards coach in a continuation of his current role and Squadron Leader Matt Tibbatts (defence coach) and Flight Sergeant Matt Brougham (assistant forwards coach).

• Inter Services rugby league: Watch senior men's and women's matches live
• Watch: Weekly Forces Sports Show
• RAF men looking 'really sharp' ahead of Inter Services showdown with defending champions

Flight Sergeant Tom Gardner (Head Coach)

The new head coach knows all about the pressure of an Inter Service campaign on the field having starred for the RAF during the 2015 season when the Air Force were crowned champions.

He was also defence and attack coach of the 2018 Inter Service-winning team.

As a player, he represented Henley Hawks and linked up with them again as backs coach for four seasons.

Flight Lieutenant Dave Manning (Forwards Coach)

A leader on and off the pitch for RAF Rugby Union.

Flt Lt Manning has captained the RAF at Inter Service level before and was also given the UK Armed Forces armband for the 2023 Forces World Cup in France.

His forwards coach role sees him continue with the work behind the scenes that started in the previous regime.

He is currently working towards his England Advanced Rugby Coaching Award.

Squadron Leader Matt Tibbatts (Defence Coach)

Another former player has pulled on the light blues shirt.

Sqn Ldr Matt Tibbatts brings a wealth of playing experience to the role whether it was with the RAF, UKAF or civilian teams.

He will work on tightening up an RAF defence that conceded 70 points across the two Inter Service games last season.

Flight Sergeant Matt Brougham (Assistant Forwards Coach)

A return to RAF Rugby Union for a member of the 2018 winning team.

Since his time on the field for the Air Force, he's embarked on a coaching quest gaining experience across multiple squads including RAF Scotland & NI, Lossiemouth Owls and most recently Moray RFC.