About this site.
This site is run independently by Alligin Photography and the views expressed are those of Alligin Photography or article authors where given. Alligin Photography has the largest repository of fully researched data and information from throughout the full history of the Royal Navy Rugby Union. The content of this site is fully public though users are reminded that all rights are reserved for the material that is presented throughout this website. Alligin Photography's archive is the most comprehensive in existence and we pride ourselves on our accuracy and believe we are justified in our claims that we remain the most authoritative source for "The History of Navy Rugby". If you find information which you feel falls short of this standard then please contact us and we will fully research any claims and change the data where required.
Geraint Ashton Jones, a Director of Alligin Photography, is the author of the book: Army v Navy 100 Glorious Matches.
Article Archive
Royal Navy Rugby Union - Heart of Oak
Heart of Oak
This page is a collection of the great players throughout the illustrious history of Navy Rugby who (in the main) have worn the famous Navy Blue shirt. Greatness is often in the eye of the beholder but in choosing the players we have tried to be aware of the time and context of when they either represented the Royal Navy Rugby Union or with in the Royal Navy. When compiling this list we have taken in to account longevity, youthfil achievement, international achievement and also military achievement. The Royal Navy remains the only Service to have provided an England International who was awarded the Victoria Cross and also the only Service to provide an England International who was awarded the Albert Medal.
Please note that this page has been developed by and contains entries that have been selected by Alligin Photography and its associates. It is not an offically endorsed Hall of Fame produced by the Royal Navy Rugby Union. Selection to the Hall of Fame is currenty managed by Geraint Ashton Jones although it is hoped that in the near future this will be managed by a nomination group of current and former Navy Rugby players/administrators. This would formalise the method by which new players are inducted as a member of "The Heart of Oak" roll of honour.
Royal Navy Rugby Union - Principal Roles
Life Members
This section provides access to all those who have been recognised by the Union through Life Membership, have been selected to captain the Union's Men or Women's side or who have been chosen for the key administrative roles within the Union.
It covers roles that are across the Union so the referee committee roles and referee Life Members are reproduced in their own section.
RN Captain - Men
RN Captain - Women
Sole Selectors
Presidents
Secretaries
Executive Chair
Chair of Trustees
Royal Navy Rugby Union - Annual Awards
Cossack Sword
This section provides access to all those who have been recognised by the Union through the various annual awards presented to players and administrators from all the representative teams and also the wider game within the Union.
Many of the awards are voted upon by the players themselves whilst three of the awards are in memory of people who made a huge contribution to the Union. These are:-
Roger Sherratt for the early women's game
Brian Weeks with youth rugby
Soapy Watson an inspirational administrator.