Return to Fiji: Sam Matavesi named to Flying Fijians' squad for upcoming Nations Championship

Royal Navy rugby's Sam Matavesi has been named to Fiji's 32-member squad for the upcoming inaugural Nations Championship campaign.

If he appears for Fiji at the Nations Championship, he will add to his 38 international caps and make a long-awaited return to the team after not appearing since a substitute appearance against Scotland in July 2025.

Matavesi, who played for the Flying Fijians at the last World Cup in France, was included despite playing English fourth-tier rugby with Cornish side Camborne this season. 

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He was however instrumental in the Royal Navy's victory at the Inter Service Championships last month, where the Senior Service retained their title at Allianz Stadium Twickenham.

The experienced Navy hooker is the current captain of Cornwall and will lead his team against Lancashire in the County Championship final at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham this weekend.

The 2026 Nations Championships makes its debut in July, where up to 12 nations are expected to participate.

The teams will be split into two groups in a Northern versus Southern Hemisphere tournament format across six rounds, with three fixtures in July and again in November, before culminating in a Finals Weekend to decide the dominant nation.