This will be the ninth meeting of the two sides, the first being in 2002 at London Welsh. The overall series stands at 5 - 3 to the Royal Navy, with the home side being the current holders of the trophy after a win at The Curragh last season. Results aside, this encounter has been notable for the closeness and competitiveness of the games. Every game played has gone to the wire; last year was no exception and could easily have been won by either team, with the margin of victory being within one score. The RN knows that this will be another hard fought and bruising encounter; the IDF will as ever provide a real test. The match this year will undoubtedly be hard, abrasive rugby, which will prove to be good preparation for the forthcoming Inter Services competition.

The RN team welcomes back a number of players: POAET Dave Pascoe (RNAS Culdrose) returns to the number 9 shirt and takes over the captaincy from Corporal Greg Barden (RM Poole). This means that Marine Jonny Stephen (CTCRM) moves to the wing, where he finished the previous match against Cambridge and started against the Royal New Zealand Navy in October in the Babcock Commonwealth Cup. Another notable returnee is LAET Marsh Cormack (HMS Sultan) fresh from having completed professional courses and prior to joining his squadron (824  NAS) - by kind permission of the CO of 824, Cdr Gavin Richardson. Likewise, OC Tom Blackburn has been released by BRNC/HMS Ark Royal to take his place in the squad. AET Gareth Jones (RNAS Yeovilton) remains part of the squad but gives up his place on the bench to make way for players returning from injury. Players not available this week include Cpl Gaz Evans (539 ASRM) deployed in Norway, POET(WE) Wayne "Cowboy" John and POET(WE) Dane Smallbone (HMS Liverpool).

The full Royal Navy line up is as follows:

1.   Mne Mark Owen - 42 CDO RM
2.   PO(AH)) Andrew Laity - RNAS Culdrose
3.   AB(WS) Marc Roberts - HMS Bulwark
4.   LAET Marsh Cormack - HMS Sultan
5.   Capt Stuart McLaren RM - RMR Bristol
6.   SLt Niall Copeland RN - MWS Collingwood
7.   Cpl Greg Barden - RM Poole 
8.   Mne Michael Egglestone - 45 CDO RM
9.   POAET David Pascoe - RNAS Culdrose (Captain) 
10. Capt Tom Glover RM - CTCRM
11. Mne Jonny Stephen - CTCRM
12. ET(ME) Dale Sleeman - HMS Cumberland
13. Mne Scott Llewellyn  - Cdo Log Regt RM
14. LAET Andrew Vance - HMS Nelson
15. Mne Rob Lloyd - 42 CDO RM
16. NA(AH) Ben Priddey - RNAS Culdrose
17. OC Tom Blackburn - BRNC / HMS Ark Royal
18. Lt Dale Smith RN - HMS Sultan
19. Mne Kieran Morton - UKLF CSG
20. POPT Les Dennis - HMS Nelson
21. ET(ME) Jon Marlin - HMS Sultan
22. Log(CS) Josh Drauniniu - HMNB Portsmouth

The replacements' bench may change depending on the injury status of the front row and also whether POPT Les Dennis (HMS Nelson) passes an assessment on his rib injury.

RN players not considered due to injury include Cpl Damo Chambers (CTCRM), NA(AH) Kyle Mason (845 NAS), AB (Sea) Will Cairns (HMS Nelson), Cpl Carl Saunders (CTCRM), Cpl Calum McCrae (CTCRM), Logs SC B Buinimasi (RNAS Culdrose), and PO AET John Court (RNAS Culdrose).

The international flavour continues for the RN's next match which is against the French Navy in Toulon, France on Friday 19^th March.

More information from:  Paula Rowe, Director of Communications, Royal Navy Rugby Union + 44 (0) 7836 721776; rnrucomms@googlemail.com; or go to http://www.navyrugbyunion.co.uk/