RLC Capt made Army Rugby Union coach

The Army Rugby Union has a new head coach, Captain Mal Roberts RLC.

Capt Roberts succeeds Major Burnie Burnard MBE as the new Senior Men’s XV Head Coach, who steps down after two years in post.

“Having played and skippered the team this is now the next step in my rugby development; I have some exciting plans and very much look forward to the next three years, which I have no doubt will be an exciting and rewarding time,” said Capt Roberts.

“I’m exceptionally grateful to my Chain of Command and Corps for allowing me the time to undertake this once in a life time opportunity.”

With an outstanding pedigree in the game, both as a serviceman and at a high level in the civilian game, Capt Roberts first represented the Army U23’s before going on to achieve 26 caps in the Men’s Senior XV, 12 of them as the team captain, winning the Inter Service title on ten occasions.

He has played 19 times for the Combined Services against some prestigious clubs and international teams (six as Captain). At club level Capt Roberts played for Illogan Park, Truro, Launceston, Weston Supermare and Newbury, at the latter spending nine seasons and captaining them in the Championship.

At representative level Capt Roberts had the privilege to play for Cornwall, England Counties, the Barbarians and in the Help for Heroes charity match at Twickenham in 2008.

Having hung up his boots as a player in 2009 his coaching pedigree started with his Corps, Army Senior Men’s XV as an assistant coach and then two years in charge of the Army U23 side.