Twickenham debut for women’s rugby showdown

The services’ rugby centrepiece between the British Army and Royal Navy will this year include the women’s match at Twickenham Stadium.

The annual showdown match reaches its 100th anniversary at the grand venue next year and, as part of that, the women’s game also comes to the home of England rugby.

The women’s match has been hosted at various locations – this year it was held at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth – but now it’s found a pretty spectacular new 82,000-seater home.

Royal Navy player, Susan Badger, said: “Every day in my naval role I work with sailors who are recovering from injury, and I know that having a goal is essential to the success of that process. 

“It is the same for me with rugby and for all of the Royal Navy squad.  So many have worked so hard to grow the women's game in the Royal Navy for over twenty years and now finally to have the opportunity to play at Twickenham is just fantastic.”

Susan's thoughts are echoed by the Army’s Sarah Mimnagh.

“Playing international rugby is amazingly special, but to be able to represent my service at Twickenham Stadium as well really is a unique and humbling opportunity. Wearing the Army red has always filled me with immense pride. It is going to be a great day,” she said.

A great day indeed and for the Army Women, the goal will be to regain the Inter Service title (currently held by the Royal Air Force). 

For the Royal Navy Women they know that they asked some difficult questions of the Army team last year without quite getting the victory they wanted. 

The women’s match will take place at 4.30pm after the men’s game at 2pm. The date of the match is Saturday, 2 May.

Visit armynavymatch.org.uk for more.