Rear Admiral Keith Beckett, RN Rugby Union Vice President, said: “For the US Eagles, your presence here is the culmination of a couple of years of planning as part of an wider initiative to use the aura of the Rugby World Cup to attract more players, coaches, referees and supporters to this wonderful game.

“I would like to thank the commander of Her Majesty’s Naval Base and the president of HMS Nelson wardroom, for their teams’ work in order to ensure that this location and the facilities that you will be using over the forthcoming week are up the standards expected for a team competing in the World Cup.

“I would also like to highlight the continuing cooperation between the Naval Base and the City of Portsmouth which enables us, as a community, to support such international sporting events.”

He added: “For the men and women of the Navy, rugby is one of many vital outlets that enable them to further our core values of courage, commitment, discipline, respect, integrity and loyalty.

“In parallel with the Rugby World Cup, we are also playing joint host to our very own inter-armed forces world cup, otherwise known as the International Defence Rugby Competition which will take place next month. 

"Those competing include the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and representative teams from the Armed Forces of nine other nations.”

The ceremony culminated in an impressive display by the Royal Marines Band Portsmouth’s Corps of Drums.

HMNB Portsmouth

Learn more

Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering)

Join us