Back to Back Inter Service Champions

The Royal Navy men’s senior rugby team have stormed to victory in the 2026 Inter Services Championship, securing back‑to‑back titles for the first time in 52 years after defeating the British Army 41 ‑ 36 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. The Senior Service proved once again that they are the standard‑bearers of military rugby.

Having already dispatched the Royal Air Force at the cinch Stadium at Frankin's Gardens in Northampton two weeks earlier, the Navy entered Twickenham knowing that victory over the Army would seal the championship.

The Army, making their first appearance in this year’s tournament, hoped to derail the Navy’s charge—but the Senior Service struck immediately. Within seconds of kick‑off, full‑back Craig Duncan sliced through the red shirts and set up Will Rigelsford for the opening try. Jake Hanley’s conversion gave the Navy a 7‑0 lead before the Army had even settled.

The Navy’s relentless pressure continued. Jarad Hayler and Ratu Vakalutukali combined brilliantly to send Freddy Elliott over for the second try, before vice captain Ben Chambers added a third. The Army managed to respond, but skipper Jarrard Hayler soon powered over from a lineout to reassert Navy dominance. By half‑time, the Senior Service led 26 ‑ 14, their discipline and precision leaving the Army scrambling for answers.

The second half saw the Army claw their way back, but every time they threatened, the Navy found another gear. Hanley’s penalty kept the scoreboard ticking, and hooker Sam Matavesi muscled over from a maul to restore breathing space. Even when the Army mounted a late surge to level the score at 36 ‑ 36, the Navy refused to yield. With minutes remaining, Jack Wright secured the decisive try from a lineout drive, sealing the win in true Navy fashion—through belief and an unyielding spirit.

At full time, the Senior Service celebrated not just a victory, but history: back‑to‑back Inter Service Champions for the first time since 1974. Navy number 8 Ratu Vakalutukali was named Player of the Match, capping off a historic day for the Senior Service and underlining the Navy’s dominance on the rugby field.

Hayler said after the match, "we set out in 2023 that we would go back to back. Unfortunately, in that big game, that big occasion we didn't do it. This year we did! Over the moon, over the moon doesn't describe it!"

Senior Men: T Lindsay, S Matavesi, B Watson; D Johnson, B Mallett; C Mills, J Hayler (C), R Vakalutukali; W Rigelsford, J Hanley, F Elliott, J Bartlett, G Wacokecoke, B Chambers (VC), C Duncan. 

Replacements: J Wright, K Beasley, D Cleverley, M Scott, H Utton Smith, D Rutter, G Edson, B Raivalita.

Words by BFBS

Images by Cinnabar Studios