Friday 9th November 2018
Tickets for this sought-after event are now on sale! The ticket offers include early bird prices as well as a ‘bundle ticket’ where a ticket to the Army v Navy match can be purchased alongside the Navy v RAF match ticket.
Last year’s Navy v RAF match was a thrilling encounter, made all the more special by being played at the Twickenham Stoop for the first time in its history. A resounding success at its new ‘big stage’ venue, we’re delighted that The Stoop, home of Premiership team the Harlequins, will once again play host to this annual clash. With the RAF no doubt still riding on the high of their Championship win, the 2019 match is set to be bigger and better, and fought fiercer and harder than ever before. Come join us on Friday 5th April 2019 to see for yourselves!
The Royal Air Force lift the Inter-Services trophy (Babcock Trophy) after beating the Royal Navy.
The Navy v RAF Match will be the first of three matches that together form the Inter-Services Championship, where teams from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force battle it out to win the Babcock bowl. Each team is made up of players from the Services, and the last three years have crowned a different winner each time (Royal Navy 2016, Army 2017, Royal Air Force 2018). Each Union will select the best of the best for the Inter Services Championship matches, in 2018 the Royal Navy team included Fiji International Sam Matavesi and the Royal Air Force team included London Irish’s Josh McNally. The teams, committees and organisers were delighted by the support and excitement that surrounded last year’s Navy v RAF Match and they’ll be looking to build on that to create an unforgettable experience for the supporters. Taking place on a glorious spring Friday afternoon and evening last year, the atmosphere in the build-up to the matches was electric; with entertainment, bars, and food and drink stands on hand to keep the expectant crowds in their high moods. As per last year, the Veteran teams will play first in the early afternoon over at Kneller Hall, with the Women XV teams kicking off mid-afternoon at The Twickenham Stoop, before the Senior XV teams take to the same platform at dusk under the gleaming lights of the pitch, and the watchful eye of their buoyant fans.
Byrne of the Royal Air Force kicks.
Kneller Hall – Friday 5th April 2019
14:00 Royal Air Force Vultures v Royal Navy Mariners
The Twickenham Stoop – Friday 5th April 2019
16:15 Royal Air Force Women v Royal Navy Women
19:00 Royal Air Force Senior XV v Royal Navy Senior XV
Early-bird offers are available; purchase your tickets before 18th December and pay only £10 for an adult and £8 for an OAP, child tickets are just £1 and group offers are also available. Following last year’s success, we are expecting tickets to sell quickly so grab yours while you can, and look forward to seeing the first match of the 2019 Inter-Services Championship kick-off, alongside friends, family, and fellow fans.
Sam Matavesi drives forward.
Special Offer – ‘Two Match Inter Services bundle’ ticket – Includes a ticket to the Army v Navy match.
Purchase the ‘Two Match Inter Services bundle’ ticket and receive two match tickets; one to the Navy v RAF match on 5th April 2019 at the Twickenham Stoop, and one to the Army v Navy match on 4th May 2019 at Twickenham Stadium. These will be on sale five days prior to the general release date for Army v Navy match tickets (an event that last year sold out in just 9.5 hours), so provides an early opportunity for supporters to secure tickets to both matches.
The Royal Air Force Senior XV v Royal Navy Senior XV match will be played for the Wavell Wakefield Cup, introduced last year to commemorate William Wavell Wakefield, a remarkable pioneer during his time in the Services and a catalyst for exceptional innovation in the rugby world. The Women play for the Molly Rose Trophy, named after one of the ‘Spitfire Women’, an extraordinary lady who served as an engineer and wartime pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary.
Royal Navy v Royal Air Force Womens’ Match.
Imagery: Navy RAF Match © Andrew Fosker
