Navy set sights on retaining Babcock Trophy

ROYAL Navy head coach Dave Pascoe hopes a tougher build-up to this season’s Inter Services Championship will ensure his side stay ahead of the pack. As defending champions, all eyes will be Pascoe’s side as they prepare to do battle against the RAF and the British Army.

The Navy ended a 13year wait to lift the coveted Babcock Trophy last year, defeating the Army 39-22 in front of over 50,000 spectators at Twickenham.

“Being defending champions, there is going to be a bit more pressure,” said Pascoe. “We’re going into the tournament in good shape. We’ve had some good warm-up tests against Exeter and the Cornish Pirates, as well as a Cornwall XV, Plymouth Albion and Cambridge.

“This year we felt we wanted to make it a bit tougher for the boys, just so it raised standards and got our game into a better place. It’s been really good and we’ll see how we fare in the Championship.”

With more of the Navy players playing at a higher standard than previous years, Pascoe is excited at what his team can produce.

“We’re looking forward to it all,” he said. “The Army/Navy game is the one that gets talked about the most, but if we don’t perform against the RAF, then you’re almost out of it straight away.”

As a veteran of many a tussle at HQ, Pascoe says it’s an occasion every servicemen should sample. He added: “It’s such a great experience. The first time I played in the game it was in front of about 20,000, but it has grown and grown over the years.

“The competition is going to be fierce again. The calibre of players is there for all to see. Hopefully, with the work we’ve done and the squad we’ve assembled, we give ourselves every chance.”

Among those set to feature for the Navy again are Northampton and Fiji hooker Sam Matavesi, Jarrard Hayler, who skippered the side last term, plus the likes of Jordan Gott, Jesse Lowe and GB Sevens flyer, Kane Teear-Bourge.

The Army/Navy game is on Saturday, May 4 (2pm) followed by the women’s game at 4:45pm.