RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

A hundred years ago Service rugby was very different on and off the field.  In February 1914 new Royal Navy Rugby captain, Lt Guy Royle, would have been deep in conversation with Navy Selector, Capt John Kelly, about the make up of that season’s team to play the Army at Queen’s Club.  They would have been looking to build on the Navy’s 6-1 series lead.  Royle’s was a tall order as he was taking over the reigns from Navy and England captain, Norman Wodehouse, who was later to see action at the Battle of Jutland before becoming one of fourteen England Internationals killed in WWII. Royle would have been pleased that Wodehouse would be taking the...