The Royal Navy women’s rugby team are set to make history on Saturday when they make their long-awaited Twickenham debut at the annual Army v Navy game.
The match is the largest amateur sporting event in the UK, attracting more than 80,000 spectators to the home of English rugby as the final fixtures of the Inter-Service campaign are played out and the winners of the Babcock Trophy decided.
This year the crowds are in for a double-header with the women making their first appearance at Twickenham (4.30pm kick-off), following the men's showdown at 2pm.
The women – captained by Leading Hand Rose Dixon and coached by Lieutenant Commander Charlotte Fredrickson – were originally due to make their Twickenham debut in 2020 but the pandemic delayed the milestone for two years.
Assistant Director of Rugby for the RN Senior Women’s XV, Lieutenant Commander Paula Smith, said: “This is a momentous year for RN women’s rugby.
“A lot of hard work both on and off the field by both former and current players and the team support group, has allowed this highly-deserved and talented squad the great honour of representing both themselves and those before them at this remarkable fixture.
“Having seen this current squad grow from strength to strength over the last few seasons, despite everything the COVID pandemic has thrown at them, I know that they will deliver a highly-credible performance which will be fantastic for the crowd to watch, as they did against both the French Navy and the RAF.
“Whilst, in the back of the minds of all of us currently involved is the fact that, a first ever win against the Army is also in our grasp this season.
“Having been involved in RN women’s rugby since the beginning – the brainchild of former player/coach Commander Paul Rowe – it’s amazing to see how far the squad has come.”
The women’s fixture, which was introduced in 2003, will be the 18th Army v Navy Senior XV game for the women with the winner taking the Babcock Trophy.
Army head coach Major Gemma Stonebridge-Smith said: “We’ve had a long time to prepare for what is going to be an historic occasion.
“It’s going to be a fantastic day of rugby – not just the men’s fixture but the women’s as well.”
Both men’s Navy and Army teams defeated the RAF in the second round of the Inter-Services competition, meaning the winner of the Twickenham match will be crowned services champions and also claim the Babcock Trophy.
A late try from Jesse Lowe sealed an 18-10 win for the Senior Service against the RAF earlier this month to set up the final showdown at Twickers.
The men’s match has been an annual fixture since 1907, apart from 1915-1919, 1940-1945 and 2020-2021. This year’s fixture will be the 103rd for the two teams.
Proceeds from the fixtures go to the Royal Navy Rugby Union and the Army Rugby Union Trust.
Find out how to watch and listen to the game HERE.
Where: Twickenham Stadium
When: Saturday 30 April 2022
Kick-off: men’s 2pm, women’s at 4.30pm
Find out how to watch and listen to the game HERE.
#BringYourAGame
This is the first time this fixture has taken place since 2019 and is a celebration of top-level military sport.
Supporters are being asked to #BringYourAGame and be the best supporter they can possibly be, respecting the game, the teams and the community.
Commander Gary Bushell, Chair Army Navy Committee, said: “It’s hugely exciting to finally be able to welcome the teams and the crowds back to Twickenham for what are always fiercely contested fixtures.
“We are delighted that after the false dawn in 2020 we will at last welcome the inaugural women’s Inter Service fixture to Twickenham Stadium; that in itself is truly historic.
“We are, as ever, immensely grateful to the local authorities for their continued support in our hosting this event and we are asking all supporters to ‘Bring Your ‘A’ Game’ and support the fixture with enthusiasm and keep in mind that we are guests and we should act accordingly.”
