Royal Navy Rugby Union
Royal Navy Rugby Union represents rugby union across the Naval Service. Founded in 1906 and based in Portsmouth, the organisation develops the game from ships and establishments through to its representative sides. Its Senior Men compete against the British Army and Royal Air Force in the historic Inter-Services Championship.
Navy Rugby Since 1906
The Royal Navy Rugby Union was founded in 1906 to administer rugby union within the Royal Navy. It is a National Constituent Body of the Rugby Football Union and supports participation, coaching, officiating and representative rugby throughout the Naval Service.
The organisation is larger than one team. Its representative structure includes the Senior Men’s XV, Senior Women’s XV, Under-23s, the Mariners veterans’ side and sevens teams, alongside rugby played by ships, establishments and affiliated service clubs.
The Army, Navy and RAF Rivalry
The Inter-Services Championship began in 1920, when the newly formed Royal Air Force joined the Army and Royal Navy in a three-way competition. Royal Navy won the inaugural championship and also took the title in 1921 and 1922, establishing an early run of three consecutive triumphs.
The annual Army v Navy fixture became the centrepiece of the calendar and is traditionally staged at Twickenham. The match combines elite Service rugby with one of British military sport’s most enduring rivalries.
Back-to-Back Champions
Royal Navy’s Senior Men retained the Inter-Services Championship in 2026 after defeating the British Army 41–36 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. It followed their 2025 success and delivered consecutive championship titles for the first time since 1974.
The achievement connected the modern side to more than a century of Navy rugby history while adding another memorable chapter to the Army v Navy rivalry.
Dave Davies
The Famous Dark Blue Shirt
Dark navy blue is the defining colour of Royal Navy rugby. Match reports and the Union’s own history regularly refer to the team as the “Dark Blue”, while white, silver and grey have also appeared in change kits and supporting details.
This FanFile covers Royal Navy Rugby Union rather than one particular jersey. Shirt designs, sponsors and manufacturers change over time, so use the crest, label and product code on your own shirt to identify its season and edition.
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