NAVY SHARKS DEFEND THEIR TITLE IN DUBAI

The RNRU 7's team now rebranded as the "Navy Sharks" return to the World Famous Dubai Rugby 7's on 30 Nov - 02 Dec to defend the International Overseas Visitors Trophy which they won last year. This year Coach Billy May has selected 12 players to represent the Navy, they will be pitting the skills against old foes, Pyrenees, CGS Old Boys, Varsity Blues and Racing Club, players have been chosen, from all the Navy representative sides and contains 6 players from last years winning team. The squad is as follows; Players: Capt RM Will Pilkington - 1PWRR Mne Rhoddri Dicks - RM Sports Presentation Team Mne Scott Llewellyn - SEME Bordon Mne Rob Lloyd - RNAS Yeovilton AEM Joe Poole - RNAS Yeovilton LAEM Dave Pascoe - RNAS Culdrose LWEA Wayne John - HMS Bulwark CH Josh Drauniniu - HMS Bulwark SA Manao Satala - HMS Gloucester PO Dane Smallbone - HMS Ark Royal OM Jamie Carauana - HMS Monmouth SA Silivenusi Buinimasi - HMS Cumberland TSG: CPOPT Billy May - MWS Collingwood - Coach WO1 Sid Cole - MOD Abbey Wood - Manager Mrs Phillipa Gibbs - HMS Nelson - Physio Lt Cdr Paul Dunn - RNRU - Exec Member The Navy Sharks are one of the top seeds in the tournament and have draw Clyde and Co, Varsity Blues and Alec1 in the group stages. Billy May, the Sharks coach said " We are optimistic that we can progress to the knockout stages and after that we will take each match as it comes, I am in no doubt that this is the premier sevens tournament in the world, the Navy Sharks have a premier squad to compete in Dubai, but we will need to be at the top of our game and hopefully we can retain the trophy in front of 35, 000 people which will make it a memorable end to the RNRU's Centenary year". From our sponsor: Flagship Training Ltd is very pleased to be able to sponsor the Royal Navy International Sevens team. Success in sport is fundamental to the Team qualities that underpin Royal Navy ethos and we, as a Partner to the Royal Navy Shore Training organisation are keen to be part of that ethos and part of a winning team. As holders of the International Trophy, Flagship wishes the team every success in the forthcoming Dubai Sevens Tournament and looks forward to a continuing association with Royal Navy Rugby Union. Follow the Sharks progress in the tournament on this site as we post match by match reports and pictures. The tournament kicks off on Thursday 30 November 2006.