Many people in military sporting circles believe that getting to play for the Army in any sport is just about impossible. 'Too cliquey', 'my face doesn't fit', 'and I never get the chance to show my talents' are a few of the general vibes that get passed around the barracks.

Well in just six weeks 2Lt Tom Hughes RE has shown that all those comments are entirely false! Tom has gone from a 'nobody' (in sporting circles) to a member of the senior Army Rugby Union XV and will fly to South Africa in a few weeks with an opportunity to play in the Inter services matches in the coming months.

A young officer presently serving with the Military Works Force in Nottingham, and educated at Loughborough University Tom turned up to the Army Rugby trial in December at Aldershot, no one in the coaching set up had come across him before but he had a good showing.

Picked up by the Sapperrugby selectors he was immediately selected in the RE squad to play against the Infantry in the Corps Merit league and from a strong performance was chosen to play for the Army A side this January against the Army Vets and Blackheath. Continued strong performances during these games raised the eyes of Andy Hickling and the senior coaching staff and due to a long term injury to one of the senior squad Tom was drafted into the senior squad to play against Oxford University this week. Although he didn't start he did get 30 minutes in the second half and displayed the necessary skills and determination to get a slot on the plane when the Senior XV travel to South Africa for their pre inter service training camp.

As for the future? well he could feature in the Inter Service games against the RAF and every players dream to play against the Navy at Twickenham in front of 45,000 on the 7 May 2005. It just shows what is possible if you put yourself forward, no cliques or closed doors! just as this ARU website says; If you're good enough let us know, Tom has done exactly that!

Reported by: Andy Hickling/Chris Fowke

E-mail: Andy.Hickling@tesco.net