Josh playing his final game in Navy colours – Army Navy Match 2012

J. Drauniniu

Born 17 August 1985, Fiji

 

628th player to be capped by the Royal Navy Rugby Union
15 caps
Played against the Army in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
Played against the RAF in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Played against the Marine Nationale in 2011, 2012

 

Inter Service Record (Army & RAF only)

Played 13 Won 8 Drew 0 Lost 5
Inter Service Titles 1

2004 Royal Navy 16 Army 32
2004 Royal Navy 49 Royal Air Force 5
2007 Royal Navy 25 Army 39
2007 Royal Navy 58 Royal Air Force 3
2008 Royal Navy 11 Army 22
2008 Royal Navy 67 Royal Air Force 12
2009 Royal Navy 7 Army 50
2009 Royal Navy 34 Royal Air Force 20
2010Royal Navy 24 Army 22
2010 Royal Navy 73 Royal Air Force 3
2011 Royal Navy 52 Royal Air Force 3
2011 Royal Navy 17 Marine Nationale 10
2012 Royal Navy 9 Army 48
2012 Royal Navy 13 Royal Air Force 6
2012 Royal Navy 3 Marine Nationale 24

 

Clubs

Exeter Chiefs
Harlequins
London Welsh
Worcester



Logs (CS) Josh Drauniniu burst on to the Navy Rugby scene in 2003 where he helped his establishment HMS Raleigh lift both the Navy Cup and the Navy Sevens title. He ended this first year with excellent performances in the Navy U21 colours including their win over the Army at Portsmouth. It was therefore no surprise that he was invited to join the Senior XV squad and ended the season being capped in both matches making a try scoring debut against the RAF.

He missed out in 2005 and again in 2006, a year marred by injury, but made an explosive return to Inter Service rugby in 2007 and produced one of the best individual performances seen at Twickenham in the 39 -25 defeat by the Army. That game ensured that for the rest of his service career he would be closely marked by both the RAF and Army teams.

Though always supportive of Service Rugby with Combined Service Honours at U23 and Senior level to go with his Navy caps, Josh also made an impact in the civilian game. His try scoring exploits for Exeter Chiefs in the Championship saw him move to Harlequins. However another season blighted by injury meant that he never really made his mark but was back amongst the tries the following year with London Welsh before then moving to Worcester Warriors where he currently plays his rugby and is establishing himself as a Premiership regular.

Josh scores against New Zealand for England Sevens – Image Getty Images

For many the sight of Josh in broken field play was one of the most exciting ever seen by a Navy Rugby player and it is therefore no surprise that his talents were so well suited to the sevens game. He was a key member of the Navy Sharks that won in Dubai in 2007. A venue he was to return to in international colours when he again made a try scoring debut for England Sevens, alongside future England Sevens captain and Navy Rugby colleague Greg Barden.

Josh tasted Inter Service success as part of the 2010 winning team where his off field contribution within the squad, particularly in the build up to the Army game, matched his, as ever, excellent playing displays. Finally he was part of the 2009 team that remains the only team to win away from home in the annual Navy v Marine Nationale fixture. Playing at the Stade Jean Bouin, home of the flamboyant Stade Francais, Josh graced the home crowd with the flair they had come to expect from their T14 heroes and was instrumental in securing the away victory.