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The British Army head into the Saturday’s opening leg of the National Sevens Series at London’s RugbyRocks as a firm contender for the overall title.

Thanks to a strong history and tradition over the last decade in tournaments domestically and internationally, they have become a dominant force on the invitational sevens circuit.

Head Coach Chris Brown has been able to register a formidable squad for the National Series that includes the likes of Isoa Damdamu and Apolosi Satala.

Damudamu, although cursed by injuries over the last year, was an integral part of the England Sevens side in recent last season, famously scoring an extra-time winning try in Wellington for a famous Cup win on the 08/09 IRB Sevens World Series.

Fiji international Satala is another with a wealth of experience for both Fiji and clubs in the Guinness Premiership. But the talisman picked up an injury in Rome last weekend with his participation under threat ahead of RugbyRocks.

Inspirational skipper Mark Lee, a former Scotland Sevens Captain, is once again expected to lead the side with the superb Gerhard Wessels primed to be one of the outstanding players on the Series from centre.

Joe Kava and Gus Qasevakatini performed well in Italy with newcomer Martin Speight another player who could make an impact this season. Jack Prasad played for Fiji in the last leg of the 09/10 IRB Sevens World Series in Edinburgh.

The Army showed their class in big wins in Newquay, Worthing, and Bath last season but realise standards have risen. 

“The levels are going to be high on the Series and I think this will really test our players and push them,” says Chris Brown 

“I’ve noticed over the last three years the standards have massively increased. The collision and the contact area have become key areas. We have sometimes struggled in those areas, but the environment has become professional in its standards. It will get even greater this season with the National Series.”

Compared to many of the core teams on the Series the Army have access to a large number of players, a factor many believe could prove crucial in the determining the outcome over the next few months.

The team also feel some strong showings can only be beneficial in raising the identity and profile of the British Army, a key factor of why rugby and sport play such an important role for the servicemen. 

“In sheer numbers, as a club, we are there to be toppled over. We have the player base to dip into which is an advantage undoubtedly,” adds Tim Osman, media officer for Army Rugby.

“What we have as a sport is an ethos about aiding everything we do as servicemen. The Series just adds to the profile and the weight to the Army Rugby. We want to maintain our record and maintain our reputation as one of the premier sevens teams.”

British Army Pool C Fixtures – RugbyRocks

10:40 WH Marauders v British Army
13:20 British Army v RB Ronin