On 15th April 2026, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) Men’s Rugby Team deployed to Washington DC to commence a three-week Overseas Sporting Visit across the United States East Coast. This tour formed a key element of RMAS’s Defence engagement with the United States, including fixtures against the United States Naval Academy (USNA) and continued development of the re-established annual contest with the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point.

The first week was spent based at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Virginia, where the squad trained daily using excellent facilities in preparation for their opening fixture. Sandhurst faced the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, securing a hard-fought and competitive 29–25 victory.

Beyond rugby, the tour provided significant cultural and professional development opportunities. While in Virginia and Washington DC, the team conducted visits to Arlington National Cemetery, key national monuments, and the Smithsonian Museums. A battlefield study at Gettysburg further enhanced the Officer Cadets’ understanding of military history and leadership. Time at Quantico also allowed for team cohesion, which included informal activities such as Texas-Scramble golf competition.

Following recovery and continued training, the squad travelled to New York, where they prepared for the marquee fixture against West Point. The team experienced time in New York City before moving into an intensive training period at USMA facilities. The match against West Point was played in front of a large crowd and proved physically demanding. Despite a strong performance, Sandhurst were defeated 24–12, although the team demonstrated resilience and professionalism in representing the Academy.

The final phase of the tour included supporting RMAS teams competing in the Sandhurst Cup, reinforcing the wider Defence engagement objectives of the visit and strengthening ties between the two institutions.

Overall, the tour was a significant success. It not only delivered high-quality competitive rugby but also strengthened international military relationships, developed leadership and teamwork among Officer Cadets, and provided a valuable break from the demands of the Commissioning Course. This experience would not have been possible without the exceptionally generous support and sponsorship received from a range of organisations and funds, which included the ASL Grant, ARU Community Fund, RMAS Sports Fund, Academy Central Fund, RMAS Rugby Fund, Cadarn Capital, Forces Mutual and last but not least Sandhurst Trust. Their contributions were instrumental in offsetting the substantial costs of international travel, accommodation, insurance, and logistics, ensuring that Officer Cadets could fully benefit from this unique and demanding developmental opportunity.