The Army Rugby Union is pleased to confirm that the annual Corps Festival will open the 2025-26 Corps rugby season on Wednesday 10th September 2025 at Newbury RFC (Postcode: RG14 7RW).
The one-day event will showcase a full schedule of Inter Corps Men’s (15-a-side), Women’s (format TBC) and Masters (15-a-side) rugby competitions, setting the stage for the season ahead.
The Corps Festival serves as a crucial opportunity for teams to build momentum and cohesion ahead of the Inter Corps League Competition, which kicks off with the first round of fixtures during the week commencing Monday 22nd September 2025.
In a move to encourage maximum participation and early-season engagement, squad sizes have been extended for this event:
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Men’s and Masters: Up to 30 players per Corps squad
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Women’s competition: Unlimited squad size
Further details, including timings, match regulations, and joining instructions, can be found in the full Admin Instruction available here – ARU Corps Festival_10_Sep 25_Admin Instruction
All players, coaching staff, and supporters are encouraged to attend and support what promises to be a strong and exciting start to the new Corps rugby season.
Men’s Competition
League 1 – RE, RA, Infantry, REME
League 2 – RLC, R Sigs, RAC, AGC
League 3 – AAC, RAMS, RAPTC, Int Corps
Women’s Competition
RAMS (RAPTC, CAMUS, AAC), RLC (INF), RA (RAC), REME (RE, RSigs), AGC (INT)
Master’s Competition
RE, RA, REME, RLC
ADMINISTRATION
All Corps are to ensure they have affiliated themselves with the ARU for the 2025/26 Season and paid insurance in accordance with direction in ARU instructions. Failure to do so will make Corps ineligible to play in any ARU competitions.
TIMINGS
0730hrs – 0800hrs – Team registration
0830hrs – Officials briefing
0900hrs – Pool matches commence
1300hrs – ViP lunch
1400hrs – AAC v RAMS
1415hrs – Masters Final
1500hrs – Women’s Final
1545hrs – League 2 Final
1630hrs – League 1 Final
1730hrs – Int Corps v RAPTC
2000hrs – Festival closes
CONTACT
Chair of Corps Rugby – Capt Andy Corke Email
