UK's Tri-Service Women's team takes on France in rugby union match

27 September 2021

The UK Tri-Service Women’s Rugby Union will play against the French women’s military (France Militaire Rugby Feminin) on Wednesday 29 September in Portsmouth.

This will be the first Tri-Service Women’s Rugby Union match since November 2018 when the British team was beaten by South Africa in London.

This match will be the team’s fifth since 2015, and the players are looking for their first win.

UK Armed Forces is the pinnacle of Forces Rugby, drawing the best players from across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.

The team is coached by John Wilding (RAF) who started his coaching career with RAF women’s team in 2003.

SSAFA is the official charity partner for the UKAF Rugby Union 2021-2022, including this UK Tri-Service Women’s Rugby Union match against France.

Sir Andrew Gregory, CEO at SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity said: “SSAFA is delighted to again be the official charity partner of the United Kingdom Armed Forces Rugby teams, including for this match against the French Women’s Armed Forces (France Militaire Rugby Feminin) in Portsmouth this September and throughout this 2021-2022 season.

"The tri-services rugby teams showcases some of the incredible talent thriving across our Armed Forces, celebrating the values and abilities that exist within the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force. SSAFA exists, when required, to provide service personnel, veterans and their families with lifelong support whenever and wherever they need us; in that role, we are very proud to be at the heart of the Armed Forces community.”