R. Armstrong
Born 17 August 1967, Liverpool, England
For many years Bob was the most capped Navy player of all time with 31 Inter Service but his record which had stood from 2004 was surpassed by Dave Pascoe in 2014. However he remains the player with the most Inter Service caps in the history of the Royal Navy Rugby Union [July 2015]. 527th player to be capped by the Royal Navy Rugby Union
31 caps
Played against the Army in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Played against the Royal Air Force in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Inter Service Record
Played 31 Won 12 Drew 1 Lost 18
Inter Service Titles 2 plus 2 triple tie
1989 Royal Navy 23 Royal Air Force 30
1990 Royal Navy 7 Army 16
1990 Royal Navy 14 Royal Air Force 22
1991 Royal Navy 0 Army 10
1991 Royal Navy 13 Royal Air Force 22
1992 Royal Navy 9 Army 16
1992 Royal Navy 22 Royal Air Force 13
1993 Royal Navy 15 Army 37
1993 Royal Navy 7 Royal Air Force 23
1994 Royal Navy 6 Army 18
1994 Royal Navy 12 Royal Air Force 22
1995 Royal Navy 34 Army 17
1995 Royal Navy 43 Royal Air Force 19
1996 Royal Navy 9 Army 6
1996 Royal Navy 12 Royal Air Force 14
1997 Royal Navy 16 Army 18
1997 Royal Navy 24 Royal Air Force 24
1998 Royal Navy 22 Army 36
1998 Royal Navy 11 Royal Air Force 8
1999 Royal Navy 13 Army 24
1999 Royal Navy 28 Royal Air Force 7
2000 Royal Navy 14 Army 32
2000 Royal Navy 23 Royal Air Force 5
2001 Royal Navy 31 Army 20
2001 Royal Navy 23 Royal Air Force 3
2002 Royal Navy 13 Army 18
2002 Royal Navy 24 Royal Air Force 19
2003 Royal Navy 16 Army 53
2003 Royal Navy 34 Royal Air Force 27
2004 Royal Navy 16 Army 32
2004 Royal Navy 49 Royal Air Force 5
Clubs
Devonport Services
Plymouth Albion
Bristol
Exeter
Exmouth
Divisional
South West
County
Devon
Colour Sergeant Royal Marines Bob Armstrong made his debut against the Royal Air Force in 1989 and did not miss a single Inter Service championship match until his retirement in 2004. 31 caps make him the most capped player in the Royal Navy Rugby Union and he also has more Inter Service caps then any other player. In 2000 he became the inaugural winner of the Royal Navy Rugby Union Cossack Sword, which had been presented to the Union by former player and Selector Captain Leigh Merrick Royal Navy.
His illustrious rugby career saw him play numerous games for the Combined Services including the famous match at Devonport Services against the 1993 touring All Blacks. He also played against a number of other touring international teams including Namibia (1990), Argentina (1996), Canada (1998), Romania (2001) a match which he was appointed captain of the Combined Services. Away from Service rugby he was selected on four occasions to play for the South West Divisional team. In 1994 he played in the Divisional Championship against London & South East, while in 1996 he was again in South West colours against the touring South Africans, Argentina and Queensland. His all-round contribution to rugby was recognised by the most famous rugby union club of all, the Barbarians, who selected him on two occasions.
Despite having played rugby at the highest levels Bob Armstrong was always a clubman and all through his career regularly represented both his Unit and the Corps. On leaving the Service his work in the Middle East meant that many a ship player came in to contact with Bob on the field where he would frequently turn out for one of the many exiles teams. At the age of 43, and having returned to the UK, he was still to be found playing for Exmouth RFC.
Bob was always acknowledged as a very hard but fair player who was expert in the art of mauling. It is fortunate that he chose to make his mark in legitimate ways because as the 1988 Royal Marines Super Heavy Weight boxing champion who could have probably have caused some serious mayhem.