Forces Rugby Players Prepare For Premier 15s Final

Two top Armed Forces rugby union players are preparing for the Premier 15s final as Harlequins look to win their first title.

Defending champions Saracens stand in their way, but Quins have military experience in their squad.

Both Flying Officer Amy Cokayne of the Royal Air Force and Captain Alexandra Eddie of the British Army play for the club and will be looking to use their military know-how to find a win in the final.

Cokayne is also an experienced England international, including having won the Six Nations title, and is looking forward to the showpiece match in Gloucester.

"I've never been in a Premiership final myself so to be involved is hugely exciting," she said.

"Having the two top teams going against each other should be a really good spectacle for people to watch."

The military knowledge is always considered a positive for Cokayne on the rugby pitch.

"The relationship between being in the military and playing sports such as rugby is really improving," she said.

"The more girls we can get involved in doing that will just increase the standard of probably both the Premier 15s and military rugby.

"The Air Force have played such a huge part in allowing me to live the life I live and to really put everything I can into rugby, so to get to the final and represent the Air Force is a huge honour."

Capt Alexandra Eddie is also hoping her Forces knowledge will be a positive as the service players continue to make an impact in the civilian game.

She said: "Over the past few seasons, it's become more and more competitive.

"The RAF beat the Army last time out in the Inter Services and I think there's more and more players playing in the Premier 15s, so it's only a good thing and is going from strength to strength.

"We've been training all year to do our best. At the same time, we've got that military training and the will to win so we’re going to go out there and put on a really physical display."

The women's Premier 15s final takes place at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, on Sunday.