SAMURAI want to say a huge congratulations to all Army Rugby Union teams on their fantastic performances against the Navy at the Inter-Services Championship 2022.
On Saturday 30th April we saw the men's and women's teams of Army vs Navy battle it out to win the Babcock Trophy and claim the Inter-Services Championship title, with both matches featuring performances of epic proportions at the Twickenham Stadium in London.
An annual fixture since 1907, this men’s Senior XV Rugby Union Army vs Navy match is the 103rd to take place and is one of the largest amateur sporting events in the UK, seeing over 80,000 spectators supporting the event. The first half of the men’s Senior XV saw Navy taking an early lead, but the tenacity of the ARU team saw them pushing back, making the scoreboard equal by half time. By the second half both teams were ferociously fighting for the title, momentum building until finally ARU came out victorious in the end with 35 - 27.
BDR Connor O’Reilly, Winger for the ARU Men’s team, spoke to us about the game: “It was great to finally play the fixture after two years without it due to COVID. It's an unbelievable feeling to get the win against a really competitive Navy team. The boys put on a great performance and I'm so proud to represent the Army Rugby team.”
This year also held a historic win for the ARU women’s team. Since its inception in 2003, this 18th Army vs Navy Senior XV women’s stand off is the first to be held in the ‘home of rugby’ at Twickenham Stadium. Although Navy made for fierce competition, Army Women pushed to dominate the pitch throughout the entire match, and their final score of 68 - 0 has made their debut unforgettable.
The Inter-Services Championship is often regarded and appreciated as a reunion event, a chance for both current serving members of the armed forces and veterans to share experiences and passions with the rugby community.
SAMURAI are proud to be the official kit suppliers of ARU. Congratulations to everyone on this fantastic achievement and for all of their incredible performances!
Proceeds from the day go to the Army Rugby Union Trust and the Royal Navy Rugby Union. To learn more about the Inter-Services Championship and the Army v Navy match, visit their website here.
#PUSHFORWARD
Image Credits: © Army v Navy Match