Keep your fridge well stocked and invite some friends around – it’s going to be a good one!
For decades, the military have actively encouraged participation in professional sport and continues to maintain a strong link with rugby union. Balancing the demands of forces life with the rigorous training required to reach the Premiership in any sport is not an easy task. For those talented, committed individuals who are striving for excellence, the support and help found within the services is second to none.
Over the years there have been some phenomenal military players that have gained worldwide recognition. Big names include:
- Will Carling (England)
Former Officer in the Royal Regiment of Wales
Position – Centre
Clubs / Teams:
Harlequins
England – 1988-1997 with 72 caps
British and Irish Lions
Will Carling (retired), who commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Wales before resigning to concentrate on his professional rugby career. He was the youngest ever England Captain at the age of 22. He achieved 72 caps for England and represented the British and Irish Lions.
- Josh Lewsey (England)
Troop Commander in the Royal Artillery in 2001
Position – Fullback, wing and centre
Clubs / teams:
Bristol 1997-1998
London Wasps – 1998-2009
St Agnes – 2011
England – 1998-2008 with 55 Caps
British and Irish Lions – 2005 with 3 Caps
Former World Cup winner, Josh Lewsey passed out of Sandhurst in 2001 and joined the Royal Artillery. For two years he juggled his professional rugby life with his military career before resigning his commission. In 2009 Lewsey retired from international rugby. He is now the Head of Rugby for the Welsh Rugby Union.
- Tim Rodber (England)
Former Captain in the Green Howards Infantry Regiment until 2001
Position – Flanker, Number 8
Clubs / Teams:
Northampton with 235 caps
England – 1992-1999 with 44 caps
British and Irish Lions – 1997 with 2 caps
Tim Rodber, a rugby union player (retired) played for the British and Irish Lions as well as for England, earning 44 caps. Throughout his professional rugby career, he served in the army as a Captain in the Green Howards Regiment.
- Rob Wainwright (Scotland)
Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps – 1987 to1999
Position – Flanker, Number 8
Clubs / Teams:
London Scottish F.C
Glasgow Warriors
West Hartlepool R.F.C
Army Rugby Union
Scotland – 1992-1998 with 37 caps
British Lions – 1997 with 1 cap
Rob Wainwright (retired) a former Rugby Union player managed to maintain a professional rugby career alongside his military life. Having been commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps as a doctor, he went on to achieve 37 caps for Scotland and also played for the British and Irish Lions.
- Semesa Rokoduguni – Roko (England)
Serving soldier in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Position – Centre and wing
Clubs and Teams
British Army from 2011
Bath from 2012 with 56 caps (as of 24/04/2015)
England – 2014 with 1 cap (as of 08/11/2014)
Semesa Rokoduguni currently serves in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Fijian-born, he is the most successful military player in men’s rugby today. Despite operational commitments and a demanding job, he plays for Bath and has attained International status, having represented England in 2014.
There are some hugely talented premiership rugby players within Defence as a whole. Not least, the three members of the Army Rugby Union Women’s team who have been selected to join the England Academy Squad this year. Such success has been earned despite the difficulty of having to take time out in previous seasons for operational duties in Afghanistan. They follow in the footsteps of their current team captain, Corporal Jane Leonard, who has been capped at International level for England 15’s 9 times and capped 20 times for England 7’s.
The Three Military Women In The England Academy Squad This Year:
Captain Gemma Rowland
- Serving with the Royal Artillery
- Position – Fly Half / Centre
- Combined Service Caps – 4
- Wales 15s Caps – 4
- Civilian Rugby Club – Wasps and Dragons
Gemma has played rugby since she was 15 years old. Starting off with 7s before sampling her first 15s game at the U20s England Trials. Having played for Exeter University, she’s now a regular player for the Army and Combined Services Teams as well as her Premiership club, London Wasps. She has since earned her first International cap for Wales.
Sergeant Rosie Haigh
- Serving with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers
- Position – 2nd Row
- Army Caps – 12
- Combined Service Caps – 3
- Civilian Rugby Club – Wasps and England Academy
Rosie took up rugby in 2008 during Phase 2 Training and has rapidly developed into a Premiership player. She captained the Combined Services Squad in 2010 and has more recently played for London Wasps.
Corporal Bianca Dawson (Bee)
- Serving with the Royal Military Police
- Position – Prop
- Army Caps – 11
- Combined Service Caps – 3
- Civilian Rugby Clubs – Wasps and England Academy
Bee is a talented sportswoman who started to play rugby at the age of 15. She began her first season with the AGC and Army team in 2011, having spent previous years playing competitive football. She now plays for Wasps first team and is said to have a great deal of potential.
With such an exciting season ahead of them, we wish all our military players the very best of luck and look forward to seeing them in action!
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