Last week, over 300 sponsors and invited guests joined Team Forces at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester for the annual UK Armed Forces (UKAF) Remembrance Rugby Match — an evening that combined sporting excellence, remembrance, and partnership in front of an electric crowd.
This year, the UK Armed Forces men’s rugby team took on the German National Rugby Team in a fiercely competitive match that embodied the camaraderie and respect at the heart of the event.
This flagship occasion was made possible through the generous support of headline sponsor Dell Technologies, alongside secondary sponsors Atkins Réalis, Frazer-Nash, Avon Protection, Checkpoint, and PointWire, whose backing ensures the continued success of this important annual fixture in the UK Armed Forces calendar.
A Great Game Played in True Remembrance Spirit
From the very first whistle, the crowd was treated to fast-paced, physical rugby. The UKAF side took control early when Fijian Army winger Vereimi Qorowale touched down after only three minutes, finishing a flowing attacking move down the left wing. Jack Johnson calmly added the conversion to give the home side a 7–0 lead.
Germany, fielding former Army and UKAF player Cameron McDonald at full back, responded through Shawn Ingle, who powered over after a smart lineout move. Although Leo Wolf missed the conversion, the visitors narrowed the score to 7–5. Before the break, Qorowale struck again — this time from the 10-metre line — shrugging off two defenders to score a spectacular solo try. Johnson’s conversion saw UKAF go into halftime with a commanding 14–5 advantage.
The second half, however, saw the momentum swing. Germany capitalised on UKAF penalties and built pressure through their forwards. Ingle’s second try was followed by scores from Wolf, Oliver Stein, and captain Justin Renc, who sealed the win despite a UKAF penalty try and a late Johnson penalty narrowing the gap. The final score read UKAF 24 – 29 Germany, after what was a thrilling and hard-fought contest that kept the Kingsholm crowd entertained until the final whistle.
The match carried deep emotional significance as the UKAF team played in memory of their teammate Steffan Rees, who tragically passed away in 2023 during the International Defence Rugby Competition in France. Each UKAF shirt featured Steffan’s number 12 embroidered in tribute, and his family were present at Kingsholm to present the Player of the Match Trophy — awarded fittingly to Vereimi Qorowale for his outstanding two-try performance.
For Team Forces and its community of sponsors, the event once again showcased how sport connects people, honours service, and builds enduring partnerships. The combination of remembrance, international friendship, and high-quality rugby made this year’s match one to remember — a celebration of both shared values and shared experiences.
THANK YOU TO THE UKAF RUGBY REMEMBRANCE MATCH SPONSORS
