Skip to main content

Saturday lunchtime sees Pte Ratu ‘Siva’ Naulago (Yorks) start for Bristol Bears in their home Premiership match against Leicester Tigers.

Pte Naulago had a standout personal match last time out, scoring twice in the first half against London Irish. But the team as a collective had a poor second half, with Irish fighting back from a 31-13 half-time deficit to draw 34-all.

Nevertheless Bristol still top the table and you can see how they get on against the Tigers from 13:00 on BT Sport Extra 2.

Saturday also sees Army Women involved in three Premier 15s fixtures.

Capt Gemma Rowland (Royal Artillery) is in line for her Bristol Bears debut – the club having announced her signing during the week – after having been named on the bench for their short trip to Gloucester-Hartpury (KO 14:30).

The Bears won their last match at home to Sale a fortnight ago, with Gloucester-Hartpury’s last win also coming against the Sharks a week before that. One space and three points separate the teams in the table, so there’s plenty of bragging rights up for grabs.

The game of the weekend comes at Twyford Avenue, where fourth placed Wasps host table toppers, Saracens.

SSgt Sarah Mitchelson (RLC) missed the one-point loss to Harlequins last time out, and returns into the back row for this second London derby in as many weeks.

This game kicks off at 13:30 with live streaming via www.Premier15s.com.

Harlequins will be looking to build on that win over Wasps against Sale Sharks, the teams facing each other in the north west.

The Army trio of Capt Alexandra Eddie (QARANC), Bdr Bethan Dainton (Royal Artillery) and Sgt Jade Mullen (AGC (SPS)) are all on the bench for the trip, with Quins needing a win to maintain pressure on Saracens in the chase for top spot.

On Sunday LCpl Semesa Rokoduguni (Scots DG) has recovered from the injury which forced him off in the first half of Bath’s home win against Gloucester last weekend to retain his place on the right wing for his team’s trip to Northampton.

Bath have righted their ship with two successive wins, the second against the Cherry and Whites courtesy of Rhys Priestland’s last-gasp penalty.

But the Saints are also on a winning streak, holding out superbly against Sandy Park to see off Exeter by a point last weekend, a victory which took them up to fourth in the Premiership table.

Kick off at Franklin’s Gardens is at 13:00 with live coverage on BT Sport 2.

In the RFU Championship warm-ups there will be outings for Gunner Senetiki Nayalo (7 Para RHA) this evening for Coventry against Saracens, and Cpl Lewis Bean (Rifles) for Bedford at home to Ampthill on Saturday afternoon. Both matches are being live streamed by the respective clubs.

Words © Chris Wearmouth, Header and Feature Image © Army Rugby Union Library

X