The Army Women’s Squad Captain, SSgt Jade Mullen (AGC (SPS)) skippers UKAF Women as they take on a North of England XV at Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park (1pm) tomorrow.
She is one of 12 Red Shirt players to feature in the starting line-up, with an all-Army front row of Cpl Becky Wilson (RLC), hooker Pte India King (RLC) and Cpl Sophie Benavent (QARANC) going from the off.
Sgt Heidi Silcox (RAMC) is named as vice-captain in the engine room, with three more Army players – Spr Lauren Brooks (RE), Bdr Amy Reynolds (RA) and No. 8 Capt Sally Bellhouse (RAMC) rounding out the pack in the back row.
LCpl Millie Williams (AGC (RMP)) is at fly-half with Gnr Amy Carr (RA) and Mullen in the centres, Lt Hannah Gilmour (RE) and LBdr Charlotte Tweddle (RA) the other Army starters.
Four more players – WO2 Rae Metters (REME), WO2 Natalie Lewis (R Sigs), GDSM Manuqalo Komaitai (IG) and Maj Gemma Pearson (RLC) – are named on the bench, while WO2 Sarah Mitchelson (RLC) is the head coach.
On the Men’s side of things, Lt Col Tim Osman (RA) has picked five Army players in the starting line-up, led by back rows LBdr Nick Wilson-Murray (RA) and LBdr Shane Nayalo (RA).
Spr Jack Johnson (RE) gets the nod at stand-off, with inside centre LCpl Solodrau Radianirova (REME) and full back Pte Adriu Muritoki (3 Scots) also included.
All three front row replacements come from the Red Shirts, Cpl Epeli Kotobalavu (RLC), vice-captain SSgt Gareth Smith (R Welsh) and SSgt Ashley Horner (REME) joined by LCpl Kurtis Booth (RE), scrum-half LCpl Mikey McDonald (RE) and Rfn Imi Qorowale (2 Rifles) on the bench.
Kick-off is at 3.15pm, with both matches raising funds for Military Versus Cancer.
Words © Richard Ashton
Header and featured image – Alligin Photography © Travis Prior
