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

Archive of articles written about the History of Navy Rugby
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Royal Navy Rugby Union - Heart of Oak

Heart of Oak

A Hall of Fame for the Royal Navy Rugby Union
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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

The Royal Navy Rugby Union had todate only made 62 people Life Members of the Union.
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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

A full list of those players given the honour to captain the RN Senior XV in a capped match.
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RN Captain - Women

A full list of those players given the honour to captain the RN Women XV in an Inter Service or capped match.
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Sole Selectors

A full list of those members of the Union chosen to be the 'Sole Selector'.
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Presidents

The Royal Navy Rugby Union has had a number of distinguished Presidents.
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Secretaries

The key administrative role within the Royal Navy Rugby Union has always been The Secretary.
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Executive Chair

A full list of those members of the Union chosen to be the Chairman of the Executive Board
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Chair of Trustees

A full list of those members of the Union chosen to be the Chairman of the Executive Board
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Royal Navy Rugby Union - Annual Awards

Cossack Sword

The Cossack Sword presented by Capt Leigh Merrick RN goes to the RN Men's Player of the Year
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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.

Roger Sherratt Trophy

The trophy presented in memory of Roger Sherratt goes to the RN Women's Player of the Year
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Proud Heritage......

The PHEF award presented by Lt Cdr Geraint Ashton Jones RN goes to the RN Senior XV most promising newcomer
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Soapy Watson Trophy

The Soapy Watson Trophy presented in memory of WO Soapy Watson goes to the RN Representative Teams' TSG member of the year.
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Brian Weeks Trophy

The trophy presented in memory of Cdr Brian Weeks RN goes to the RN U23's Player of the Year
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Mike Connolly Trophy

The Mike Connolly Trophy presented in honour of Lt Mike Connolly RN's achievements goes to the RN Mariner's Player of the Year
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Chris Alcock Trophy

The Chris Alcock Trophy presented in honour of Capt Chris Alcock OBE RN is presented for outstanding contribution to the RNRU
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Admiral Royds Trophy

The Admiral Royds Trophy presented by Lt Cdr Geraint Ashton Jones RN goes to the RN referee of the year.
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Martyn Hawthorn Award

Awarded each year to the newly qualified rugby referee that has made the biggest impact.
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Geraint Ashton Jones Trophy

The Ashton Jones Trophy presented in honour of Lt Cdr Geraint Ashton Jones RN's achievements goes to the Referee volunteer of the year.
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Valuing the Volunteer

Awarded by the Union to anyone across the game who has made a significant contribution to the game in the Naval Service.
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UKAF Awards

Formerly Combined Services, now UKAF, a list of the awards one by RNRU personnel at the higher level.
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Dave Hambrook Trophy

The Dave Hambrook Trophy presented to the RN Sevens Player of the Year.
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Womens Rugby Most Improved Player

Presented to Navy Womens Rugby's Most Improved Player of the Year
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Womens Rugby Players Player of the Year

Presented to Navy Womens Rugby Players Player of the Year
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Royal Navy Rugby Union - International Players

Mens Int XV

A list of those who have served in the Naval Service and have been capped.
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International VIIs

Details of RNRU players who have won international caps at VIIs
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Mens Int Other XV

Details of players who have won international honours below full cap level.
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Womens Int XV

RNRU Women's players who have also won international caps at either XVs or VIIs
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Royal Navy Rugby Union - Caps & Colours

Mens Caps

Details on those players capped for the Royal Navy Senior XV
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Womens Caps

A list of those Women players who have been awarded their RNRU Cap
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Referee Colours

A list of those members of the RNRURS who have been awarded their colours
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Roll of Honour

Roll of Honour for the RNRU capped players who died in action
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Royal Navy Rugby Union - Inter Service Results

Senior XV v Army

Details of the results of matches played between the Army and Navy
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Senior XV v RAF

Details of the results of matches played between the RAF and Navy
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Senior XV v Marine Nationale

Details of the results of matches played between the Navy and Marine Nationale
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The Commonwealth Cup

Details of the results and man of the match from the Comonwealth Cup
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Women XV v Army

Details of the results of the women's matches played between the Army and Navy
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Women XV v RAF

Details of the results of Women's matches played between the RAF and Navy
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Women XV v Marine Nationale

Details of the results of matches played between the Navy Women and Marine Nationale Feminines
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U23XV Inter Service Results

Details of the results for U23XV against the Army and RAF
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Royal Navy Rugby Union - Competitions

Navy Cup

The Royal Navy Rugby Union Navy Cup was first won by HMS Ark Royal in the 72/73 season.
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Inter Command

Formerly the Blakeney Cup not the Inverdale Trophy
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Royal Navy Rugby Union - Referee Society

Referee Life Members

The Royal Navy Rugby Union Navy Referee Society's Life Members
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Chair of Referees

Chairs of the Royal Navy Rugby Union Navy Referee Society
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Referee Secretaries

Secretaries of the Royal Navy Rugby Union Navy Referee Society
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Referee Training Officers

Training Officers of the Royal Navy Rugby Union Navy Referee Society
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Other Referee Appts

Treasurer, appointment and dinner secretary appointments for the RNRURS
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