This page is a living page and attempts to bring together the details of all those who, having either served in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines, have also played international rugby union. It includes the two sevens internationals as well as the Navy's first women international player. Some of the players, though internationals, did not represent the Royal Navy Rugby Union in capped games.
Naturally there are still many gaps and additional information is always gratefully received. Much of the initial collation was undertaken by John Walton and is based on online co-ordination of information utilising ESPN's rugby statistics.
Geraint July 2017
Abercrombie, Cecil Haliday - Scotland and Royal Navy
Born:
12 Apr 1886, India
Died:
31 May 1916
Rank:
Lt
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
KIA at the battle of Jutland when HMS Defence, a minotaur class cruiser, was sunk with all hands.
Country:
Scotland
Int Caps:
6
Position:
Forward
RN Caps:
4
First:
1907
RN #:
1
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Berkhampsted, US Portsmouth
Rugby Remarks
Try scorer against France in 1911
Further Information
Hampshire CCC 1913. Played cricket for a combined Army & Navy team in 1910 and the RN in 1912/13. Appears on the Plymouth War Memorial
Aitkin, Richard - Scotland and Royal Navy
Born:
29 Jun 1914, Dunbar
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
Scotland
Int Caps:
1
Position:
Prop
RN Caps:
6
First:
1946
RN #:
225
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
2
Clubs:
L Scottish, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
Played in 6 victory internationals. At time Scots oldest 1st cap player
Further Information
Bartlett, John Dudley - Wales
Born:
1907, Carmarthen
Died:
17 Jan 1967
Rank:
RN Chaplain
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
RN Chaplain
Country:
Wales
Int Caps:
3
Position:
Wing
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Cambridge U, Llanelli, L Welsh, Carmarthen Harlequin (1927/28)
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Basher, Jack - Malta and Royal Navy
Born:
Died:
Rank:
ETME
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
Malta
Int Caps:
3
Position:
Flanker/Centre
RN Caps:
1
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Rugby Remarks
Won under 23 honours at flanker before moving to centre
Further Information
Baxter, James (Bim) - England
Born:
6 Aug 1870, Rock Ferry, Merseyside
Died:
5 Jul 1940, Rock Ferry, Merseyside
Rank:
Lt Cdr (RNVR)
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
WW2
Country:
England
Int Caps:
3
Position:
Forward
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
3
Clubs:
Birkenhead Park, Cheshire, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
Int Ref, RFU Selector, RFU Pres (1927),RFU Tour manager - Argentina, Lions tour manager - NZ
Further Information
Olympic Silver 1908 - 12m Class Yachting held at Ryde, IoW
Bebb, Dewi Iorwerth Ellis - Wales and Royal Navy
Born:
8 Jun 1938, Bangor
Died:
13 Mar 1996
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
RM PTI
Country:
Wales
Int Caps:
34
Position:
Wing
RN Caps:
2
First:
1958
RN #:
329
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
4
British Lions:
31
8
Clubs:
US Portsmouth, Swansea, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
Try scoring debut as a 20yr old whilst still studying at Trinity Cllege, Carmarthen. B Lions - 3 tours SA/Australia/NZ. Capt of Swanswea RFC 1963/65
Further Information
Originally a school teacher he then went in to TV production as both a producer and editor.
Bedell-Sivright, David Revell (Darkie) - Scotland
Born:
12 Aug 1880, N Queensferry
Died:
5 Sep 1915
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
WW1 RN Surg - Died of blood poisoning at Gallipoli
Country:
Scotland
Int Caps:
22
Position:
Forward
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
5
British Lions:
21
1
Clubs:
Cambridge U, Edinburgh U, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
B Lions - 3 tours - SA/Australia/NZ. Capt team in Australia
Further Information
Scottish heavyweight boxing champion. Served attached to Hawke Division of the ROyal Navy Division on land in Gallipoli. Died of septicaemia on board the hospital ship HMHS Dunluce Castle
Bennett, Norman Osborn (Billy) MRCS, LRCP - England and Royal Navy
Born:
21 Sep 1922, Putney
Died:
7 July 2005
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Surg Lt Cdr
Country:
England
Int Caps:
7
Position:
Centre
RN Caps:
2
First:
1948
RN #:
242
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
1
Clubs:
St Mary's Hosp, Waterloo, US Portsmouth, L Counties, Hampshire, Surrey, Lancashire, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Cricket for RN, Free Foresters, Worcestershire, MCC GP in WIgan before joining RN as a surgeon
Naval architect. Attached to RN during WW1. Present at Jutland
Country:
England
Int Caps:
6
Position:
Fly Half
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
1
Clubs:
O Edwardians, Hartlepool R, Hull & ER, Furness, Barrow, Westmorland, Durham County, Yorkshire, Barbarian.
Rugby Remarks
Contracted typhoid on England visit to Dublin in Feb 1903
Further Information
Papp, Toby - Hungary
Born:
Died:
Rank:
Mne RM
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
Hungary
Int Caps:
1
11 Sep 2021
Position:
Backrow
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
UKAF Caps:
Clubs:
Exmouth
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Played UKAF & RN U23
Payne, Harry - Wales
Born:
10 Dec 1907, Swansea
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
Wales
Int Caps:
1
Position:
Prop
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Swansea
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Son manager of Swansea City FC during fight for survival in 1986
Peters, James (darkie) - England
Born:
1880, Salford
Died:
Mar 1954
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Dockyard worker - Devonport
Country:
England
Int Caps:
5
Position:
Fly half
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Plymouth, Devon, Somerset
Rugby Remarks
1st coloured player to play for England. RL for Barrow 1913.
Further Information
Richards, Ernest Edward - England
Born:
11 Mar 1905, Plymouth
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
England
Int Caps:
2
Position:
Scrum Half
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Penryn, Plymouth A, Devon
Rugby Remarks
RL - London Highfield
Further Information
Bricklayer
Rimmer, Gordon - England and Royal Navy
Born:
28 Feb 1925, Southport
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
WW2 Fleet Air Arm
Country:
England
Int Caps:
12
Position:
Scrum Half
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
1
British Lions:
8
0
Clubs:
Wigan OB, Waterloo, Lancashire
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Brewing. Golf for Lancashire
Roberts, Ernest William - England and Royal Navy
Born:
14 Nov 1878, Lowestoft
Died:
19 Nov 1933
Rank:
Rear Adm
Honours & Awards:
OBE
Service Remarks
WW1 Grand Fleet destroyers.
Country:
England
Int Caps:
6
Position:
Forward
RN Caps:
1
First:
1907
RN #:
19
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
6
Clubs:
Devon, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
1st Serviceman to captain international team. RFU committee and selector
Further Information
Roberts, Victor George - England
Born:
6 Aug 1924, Penryn
Died:
Rank:
Lt RNVR
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
WW2
Country:
England
Int Caps:
16
Position:
Flanker
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
13
British Lions:
11
0
Clubs:
Penryn, Swansea, Harlequin, Cornwall, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
Barbarians committee
Further Information
HM C&E official
Robins, John Denning - Wales
Born:
17 May 1926, Cardiff
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
Wales
Int Caps:
11
Position:
Prop
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
British Lions:
17
5
Clubs:
Birkenhead Park, Bradford, Coventry, Yorkshire, Barbarians
Rugby Remarks
Played for England in Services Internationals (1944/5). Coach of Loughborough Colls & Sheffield U. 1st BL coach - 1966
Further Information
Schoolmaster
Rodd, John Adrian Tremayne - Scotland and Royal Navy
Born:
1935,
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
Scotland
Int Caps:
14
Position:
Scrum Half
RN Caps:
7
First:
1956
RN #:
322
CS Caps:
Clubs:
US Portsmouth, London Scottish, Hampshire, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Merchant banker. Became Lord Rennell.
Royds, Percy Molyneux (Sir) - England
Born:
1874,
Died:
25 Mar 1955
Rank:
Rear Adm
Honours & Awards:
CMG CB MP MiD Legion d'Honneur
Service Remarks
WW1 - comd HMS Canterbury at Zeebrugge & Jutland.
Country:
England
Int Caps:
3
Position:
Back
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Clubs:
US Portsmouth, Blackheath, Kent, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
RN rep at RFU(1920/8), IB member (1927/49), England selector (1928/31), RFU Trustee (1929/55), RFU Pres (1927/8). Author of 1st authoritative book on laws of rugby. RNRURS Referee of the Year award is named after him.
Further Information
MP (Tory) for Kingston-on-Thames (1937/45)
Sanders, Donald Louis (sandy) - England and Royal Navy
Born:
6 Sep 1924, Fulham
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
WW2 RNVR
Country:
England
Int Caps:
9
Position:
Prop
RN Caps:
2
First:
1954
RN #:
302
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
3
Clubs:
Harlequins, London Counties, Eastern Counties, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
RFU Chair of selectors (1971). Sec of England Rugby Internationals Club
Further Information
Sales manager
Scott, Harry - England
Born:
7 Nov 1926, Batley
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
England
Int Caps:
1
Position:
Full back
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Eccles, US Portsmouth, US Chatham, Manchester, Lancashire
Rugby Remarks
Manchester (50/63) Capt(59/60). Lancashire (1951/61) Capt ( 60/1)
Further Information
Sellar, Kenneth Anderson (Monkey) - England and Royal Navy
Born:
11 Aug 1906,
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
DSO DSC
Service Remarks
WW2
Country:
England
Int Caps:
7
Position:
Full back
RN Caps:
3
First:
1927
RN #:
136
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Blackheath, US Portsmouth, London Counties, Hampshire, Hampshire, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Lead landing craft D-Day landing on Sword beach, lead assault on Walcheren Island. Cricket for RN, Sussex and MCC
Sharp, Richard Adrian William - England and Royal Navy
WW1 Asst Engineer. Later Eng Capt HMS Invinsible, Suffolk & Cordelia. Present at Battles of Heligoland & Falkland Is
Country:
England
Int Caps:
2
Position:
Forward
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Devon, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Father of actor Robert Shaw
Sladen, Geoffrey Mainwaring - England and Royal Navy
Born:
3 Aug 1904,
Died:
Rank:
Capt
Honours & Awards:
DSO+Bar DSC
Service Remarks
WW2 Submariner. HMS Tridentnduring surface attack on German Cruiser Prinz Eugen
Country:
England
Int Caps:
3
Position:
Centre
RN Caps:
7
First:
1927
RN #:
137
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
1
Clubs:
US Portsmouth, Hampshire
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
RN & Dorset at Hockey. Athletics for RN & RM
Start, Sydney Phillip - England and Royal Navy
Born:
17 May 1879, Manchester
Died:
14 Dec 1969
Rank:
Rear Adm
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Joined RN 1894, Served WW1. ADC to King George V (1931)
Country:
England
Int Caps:
1
Position:
Scrum Half
RN Caps:
1
First:
1907
RN #:
20
CS Caps:
Clubs:
US Portsmouth, Devon, Surrey
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Cricket for Cambridge CCC
Steeds, John Harold - England
Born:
27 Sep 1916,
Died:
Rank:
Surg Lt RNVR
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
WW2
Country:
England
Int Caps:
5
Position:
Hooker
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
8
Clubs:
Cambridge U, Middlesex Hosp, Saracens, Middlesex, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Registrar Middlesex Hosp then GP
Stephenson, Henry William Vaughan - Ireland and Royal Navy
Born:
28 Nov 1900, Dromore
Died:
1958
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
Ireland
Int Caps:
14
Position:
Wing
RN Caps:
10
First:
1921
RN #:
88
CS Caps:
Clubs:
US Portsmouth
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Tanner, Christopher Champain - England and Royal Navy
Born:
24 Jun 1908,
Died:
22 May 1941
Rank:
RNVR Chaplain
Honours & Awards:
Albert Medal
Service Remarks
Served WW2 as Chaplain. KIA off Crete whilst saving wounded men after HMS Fiji was sunk. Saved fellow international Vice Admiral Sir Peveril Williams-Powlett.
Played in centenary match at Rugby School. Captained England 13 times. Played in 29 consecutive internations. RAF rep at RFU(1922-24). IB member 1954-61. RFU president 1950-51.
Further Information
RAF / Politician / Company director. Distinguished in many sports inc athletics (RAF), cricket (MCC) & skiing. Chair British Ski Racing Commission. President British Water Skiing Federation. President British Sub Aqua Club. Lected MP for Swindon(1935) and Marylebone (1945-63).
Warrington-Morris, Alfred Drummond - England and Royal Navy
Born:
1883,
Died:
24 Mar 1962
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
OBE CMG CB
Service Remarks
WW1 RN Air Service, transferred to RAF. WW2 RAF. Air Commodore
Country:
England
Int Caps:
3
Position:
Forward
RN Caps:
2
First:
1909
RN #:
34
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
1
Clubs:
US Portsmouth, Barbarian
Rugby Remarks
RAF Rep to RFU (23/5 & 27/45)
Further Information
Watkins, John Kingdon - England and Royal Navy
Born:
24 Feb 1913,
Died:
13 May 1970
Rank:
Rear Adm
Honours & Awards:
OBE CBE
Service Remarks
Served WW2
Country:
England
Int Caps:
3
Position:
RN Caps:
12
First:
1933
RN #:
171
CS Caps:
Yes
Barbarian:
5
Clubs:
Devonport Services, US Portsmouth, Combined Services, Barbarians, Somerset
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Company Director
Watson, Fischer Burges - England and Royal Navy
Born:
Sep 1884,
Died:
14 Aug 1960
Rank:
Rear Adm
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
WW1 & WW2
Country:
England
Int Caps:
2
Position:
Forward
RN Caps:
3
First:
1907
RN #:
21
CS Caps:
Clubs:
HMS Britannia, US Portsmouth, Barbarians, Surrey
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Son of Rear Admiral. Awarded bar to DSO aged 60. WW2 Convoy service
Watson, James Henry Digby (Bungy) - England
Born:
31 Aug 1890, Southsea
Died:
15 Oct 1914
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
RN Surgeon WW1. Died when HMS Hawke was sunk by U-boat
Country:
England
Int Caps:
3
Position:
Centre
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
5
Clubs:
Edinburgh Acad, Edinburgh University, Blackheath, The London Hospital, Barbarians
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Rep Scotland at Long Jump. Edinburgh University boxing champion
Webb, Charles Samual Henry - England and Royal Navy
Born:
,
Died:
Rank:
Men
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
England
Int Caps:
12
Position:
Lock
RN Caps:
15
First:
1928
RN #:
146
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Devonport Services, Devon, Auckland
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Emigrated to NZ
Whitley, Herbert - England
Born:
26 Aug 1903,
Died:
1975
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
WW2 Royal Marines
Country:
England
Int Caps:
1
Position:
Scrum Half
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
British Lions:
11
3
Clubs:
Northern, Northumberland
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Bank official
Wilkins, Dennis Thomas (Squire) - England and Royal Navy
Born:
26 Dec 1924, Leeds
Died:
30 Jan 2012
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
England
Int Caps:
13
Position:
Lock
RN Caps:
10
First:
1950
RN #:
273
CS Caps:
Yes
Barbarian:
6
Clubs:
US Portsmouth, Roundhay, Combined Services, Barbarians Yorkshire
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Marketing Director
William-Powlett, Peverill - Wales and Royal Navy
Born:
5 Mar 1898, Abergavenny
Died:
Rank:
Vice Admiral
Honours & Awards:
DSO CBE KCMG KCB
Service Remarks
Joined RN age 17. WW1 Dardenelles & Battle of Jutland. Saved from drowning by CC Tanner after sinking of HMS Fiji(42). Also served WW2. CinC Atlantic(52-54)
Country:
Wales
Int Caps:
1
Position:
Prop
RN Caps:
8
First:
1921
RN #:
89
CS Caps:
Clubs:
US Portsmouth, Blackheath, US Devonport, Wanderers, Hampsire
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Polo for RN. Football for RN Colls. Colonial service - Governor of S Rhodesia
Williams, Clifford - Wales
Born:
20 Apr 1898, Llangennech
Died:
28 May 1930
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Served in RN WW1
Country:
Wales
Int Caps:
2
Position:
Hooker
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Llangennech, Llanelli, Cardiff, Bargoed
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Mining/Police
Williams, Gerwyn - Wales and Royal Navy
Born:
22 Apr 1924, Glyncorrwg
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
Wales
Int Caps:
13
Position:
Fullback
RN Caps:
2
First:
1946
RN #:
231
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
8
Clubs:
Devonport Services, Loughborough Colleges, London Welsh, Llanelli, Barbarians
Rugby Remarks
Author of Modern Rugby published in 1964
Further Information
Welsh school cricketer, Whitgift School Master. PE Director
Williams, Liam - Phillipines, Royal Navy U23
Born:
Died:
Rank:
LET(ME)
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
Phillipines
Int Caps:
1
Position:
Winger
RN Caps:
0
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
Clubs:
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
1st capped 26 June 2018 v Singapore
Williams, William Leslie Thomas - Wales
Born:
1921, Mynyddygarreg
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
Wales
Int Caps:
7
Position:
Wing/Centre
RN Caps:
First:
RN #:
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Devonport Services, Llanelli, Cardiff
Rugby Remarks
Rugby league for Hunslett
Further Information
PE Teacher
Williams, William Owen Gooding (Billy) - Wales and Royal Navy
Born:
Nov 1929, Gower
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
Wales
Int Caps:
22
Position:
Forward
RN Caps:
4
First:
1952
RN #:
288
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
3
British Lions:
17
4
Clubs:
Gowerton, Swansea, Devonport Services, Barbarians
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Steelworker
Wilson, John Skinner - Scotland and Royal Navy
Born:
17 Mar 1884, Trinidad
Died:
31 May 1916
Rank:
Lt Cdr
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
KIA at Jutland, HMS Indefatigable sinking
Country:
Scotland
Int Caps:
2
Position:
Forward
RN Caps:
3
First:
1907
RN #:
23
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
4
Clubs:
US Portsmouth, London Scottish
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Wodehouse, Norman Atherton - England and Royal Navy
Born:
18 May 1887, Nottinghamshire
Died:
4 Sep 1941
Rank:
Vice Adm
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Served RN WW1 & WW2 missing presumed drowned whilst commanding Atlantic convoy having been recalled from retired list. ADC to King George VI.
Country:
England
Int Caps:
14
Position:
Forward
RN Caps:
7
First:
1907
RN #:
24
CS Caps:
Barbarian:
1
Clubs:
US Portsmouth, Barbarians, Hampshire
Rugby Remarks
Further Information
Awarded Royal Humane Society silver medal for saving life (1915)
Woods, Thomas - England and Royal Navy
Born:
30 January 1890, Pontypool
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
England
Int Caps:
5
Position:
Lock
RN Caps:
1
First:
1920
RN #:
79
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Devonport Services, US Portsmouth, Newbridge, Pontypool
Rugby Remarks
Rugby League for Wales and Wigan becoming the first player to be capped by England (Union) and Wales (League)
Further Information
Colliery Fitter
Young, Peter Dalton - England and Royal Navy
Born:
9 Nov 1927,
Died:
Rank:
Honours & Awards:
Service Remarks
Country:
England
Int Caps:
9
Position:
Lock
RN Caps:
2
First:
1951
RN #:
281
CS Caps:
Clubs:
Cambridge University, Clifton, Roslyn Park, Dublin Wanderers, Gloucestershire
Rugby Remarks
Cambridge Blue, Captained England v France & England v Scotland whilst playing in Dublin