Army Masters v Royal Navy Mariners - Match Preview

Army Masters Head Coach Capt Mark Eastley says his side must overcome the big Royal Navy Mariners pack if they are to open their Inter-Services Championship title defence with victory on Friday night (6pm).

The Red Shirts are hunting an eighth straight tournament success dating back to 2016 – two years were not played due to Covid – and will start as favourites at Richmond, yet their opponents opened their account with a 32-25 victory against RAF Vultures, meaning another win would see them crowned champions.

Capt Eastley is confident but wary of the task ahead and said: “The mood in the camp is high. We had a great time last week against Rugby 4 Heroes and a good few days in camp before, and this week we’re staying in Pirbright where we’ll get a few good training sessions in.

“The Navy have always got a big, heavy pack and they’re bolstered by (back rows) Gaz Evans and Ben Priddey coming in from the Senior team, but the RAF managed to nullify them, and we need to do the same.

“If we try and get into an arm wrestle that’s when we could come unstuck – I’m not expecting that to happen but you can never say never!

“It’s a big, wide pitch which is what we were after – we love playing of fast surfaces and hopefully it suits us on Friday night.

“We need stick to our structure and if we do that, hopefully we’ll be fine.”

While the Navy back row is impressive, the Army have also bolstered their own with Maj Sam Richardson (AGC (SPS)) – a hat-trick hero in the 58-14 victory against Rugby 4 Heroes last weekend – a big addition this season.

Mark continued: “We’ve had a good sprinkling of new players come in who are all ready to go.

“Sam’s been phenomenal this season, he’s an out-and-out six who gets absolutely everywhere, his work rate is through the roof.

“He didn’t think he could play rugby again but said ‘I’ll give it a go’ and he’s absolutely loved it.

“He turned up at the start of the season and I think mentally it’s helped him, a journey back to fitness and one that’s reminded him of his abilities – he’s loved every second and is absolute class.”

It has been another successful campaign for the Masters so far, having beaten Pacific Islanders (25-7), HM Prison Service (32-20), North Petherton (24-15) and Rugby 4 Heroes, their only defeat coming to the English Fire Brigade (47-28).

Mark explained: “They were a very good team with a lot of old heads who’ve played a very good standard, and they just held it together for longer than us.

“We were on about three cylinders, but we took it as a big learning point and we’ve improved and improved since.

“The game against North Petherton was a big test – we were up against it in the first half – but after the break we managed to change it and we got the gains and rewards.”

And ahead of the Navy challenge, Mark ended by praising the whole group’s efforts, stating: “With the weather it’s been difficult at times, and I just want to thank the players, off-field staff and everyone else for making sure things have moved as smoothly as they possibly could – they all deserve a huge shout-out. The ARU office has also been great with us.”