Come, cheer up, my lads, 'tis to glory we steer,
To add something more to this wonderful year;
To honour we call you, as freemen not slaves,
For who are so free as the sons of the waves?

Heart of oak are our ships, jolly tars are our men,
We always are ready; steady, boys, steady!
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.

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 represented the Royal Navy Rugby Union.  By hovering over a player's name you will see a brief over view of why they were inducted to become a member of Heart of Oak.  Clicking on the icon takes you to their infomation page.

Cecil Abercrombie

Scotland international who played in the first Army Navy Match. Killed in action off Jutland.
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Chris Alcock OBE

Former player, captain, Selector and Chairman of the Royal Navy and Life Member
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Bob Armstrong

For many years the most capped player for the Royal Navy and remains the player to have played in most UK Inter Service matches.
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Greg Barden

Royal Navy player who went on to captain England Sevens
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Nick Bartlett

Captained the Royal Navy for 4 years and one of the most capped Navy props
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David Bedell-Sivright

Scotland international who captained the British Lions, never played for the Royal Navy and died at Gallipoli
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Spencer Brown

Royal Marine musician and currently the Navy's last full England International
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Silivenusi Buinimasi

2022 Royal Navy Sports Coach of the Year
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Mike Connolly

Former Navy player, captain and Selector. Now a Life Member. The veterans player of the year trophy bares his name.
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William (Dave) Davies

Former Navy player and captain. One of the first inductees to the RFU Hall of Fame
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Josh Drauniniu

Former Navy player and England VIIs player
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Paul Dunn BEM

Former captain of the Royal Navy - (where Paul served, rugby flourished)
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Charlotte 'Charlie' Fredrickson

Former Navy player and captain of the Royal Navy Women
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Roger Godfrey

Former Navy player, captain, Selector and Life Member.
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Arthur Harrison VC

Only England International to be awarded the VC
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Harold Harrison DSO

England international who played for both the Army and the Navy in Army Navy Matches
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Lewis Jones

Navy player, Wales and British Lions; acknowledged as one of the best Rugby League fullbacks of all time
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Cecil Kershaw

An Olympian fencer as well as Navy player, captain and England international
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Tony Lambert

Founder and organiser of the Medics Rugby Challenge
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Dr George Levick

The first Secretary of the Royal Navy Rugby Union
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Lord Lewin KG GCB LVO DSC

A Navy player who became Admiral of the Fleet and one of Navy Rugby's longest serving Presidents.
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Paul Livinstone

One of the Royal Navy's most capped scrum halves of all time
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William Luddington

The first rating to captain the Royal Navy. The stand at Devonport Services was named after him.
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Haydn Mainwaring

Wales international famed for a tackle made in Barbarian colours playing South Africa.
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Dan Parkes

Former Navy captain and only Junior Rate to have captained the Royal Navy
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Ernest Roberts

The captain of the Royal Navy in the first Army Navy match.
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Tremayne Rodd

Navy captain and Scotland international who became Lord Rennell
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Dave Sibson

The Royal Navy's most capped centre and the oldest player to represent UK Armed Forces (Combined Services)
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Geoffrey Sladen DSO DSC

A Navy rugby player and England International who developed the fore runner modern wetsuits.
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Kit Tanner AM

The only England International to be awarded the Albert Medal
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Glyn Thomas

Player, Captain, Selector and Life Member
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Malcolm Thomas

Navy, Wales and British Lions, believed to be the youngest captain of Navy Rugby
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William Wavell Wakefield

England international and ormer RNAS officer who was to become a founding father of RAF rugby
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Jane West

Former RNRU Women's player and a key influence in the establishment of the Women's game in the Naval Service
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Dennis (Squire) Wilkins

Former Navy captain and England International who was once arrested for trying to get in to Twickenham over a fence
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