Welcome to the Army Navy Match 2010!

The Army and the Royal Navy have been battling for rugby supremacy since 1878. In 1920 the fixture moved to Twickenham to take advantage of the magnificent facilities offered by the RFU at the home of English rugby.

In 2009 the Army celebrated with an eighth successive victory against the Navy. However, this was another hard fought match and the result belied the Navy's commitment and passion. Could 2010 be the year when the Dark Blues turn the tables to overcome the rampant Reds?

An Army win on 1 May would mean nine successive victories but, frankly, the result can never be taken for granted. So often the outcome is wrapped up in a series of imponderables such as morale, preparation and of course operational tours of duty.

Behind the experienced Army front row of Chris Budgen (Exeter), Matt Wyatt (Worcester) and Melvyn Lewis (Builth) the back row will feature Apo Satala now with Gloucester and skipper Mark Lee, a Barbarian and former captain of Scotland 7s. Big Joe Kava is once more available at No8 whilst Fiji 7s international Ledua Jope, just returned from Helmand, could regain his 2008 spot on the blind side flank.

The Royal Marines and Navy retained the bi-annual 2009 Commonwealth Cup at Portsmouth in the Autumn. Three Royal Marines Greg Barden, Rob Lloyd and Gareth Evans made a major contribution to the Combined Services team that beat the Baa-Baas in the Remembrance Day Match in November 2009. The return to fitness of their experienced skipper and scrum half Dave Pascoe would certainly be welcome in the Dark Blue corner.

Live entertainment from Blake

Year on year the Army Navy match creates the most competitive atmosphere of any encounter at Twickenham. On Saturday 1 May 2010 over 55,000 partisans will urge their team on to victory. Neutrals who attend the match will, within minutes, experience an overwhelming need to take sides and will be rooting for the Reds or Blues.

Let us welcome you to Twickenham for what will undoubtedly be a dramatic and skilful 80 minute game of rugby—and more. These are military men—the game is never won until the final whistle.

Tickets available now!