Forces rugby duo aim to change Bath’s fortunes

Two of the best military rugby union players hope to turn things around in Bath in the 2021/22 season.
Josh McNally of the RAF and Semesa Rokoduguni of the Army are two of the players on the squad who hope to end a seven-game losing streak in competition.
The pair also represented England as well as their services in the big Inter Services game.
Rokoduguni played the full 80 minutes as Bath suffered their last loss to Newcastle on Saturday.
He spent 10 years at the club but, according to McNally, the man in the army looks better than ever.
âSome of the times we’ve had in training have been amazing,â said the RAF player.
âReally, there were tries that would win the ‘test of the year’.
“Because we haven’t played like this for so long, we’re just building those connections.”
WATCH: Army star Lewis Bean discusses life in professional rugby.
Bath’s poor form is something that can only be changed through better performance, which is what they are focusing on, the former Irish star from London said.
McNally said: âWe don’t care how we do in those first four games – it’s just about building performance.
âLooking back on the last two years we’ve come off the pitch – the forwards are absolutely beaten and the full backs barely saw the ball.
“We’re putting the ball more in the hands of these guys.
“It’s very exciting to watch.”
Both men were selected internationally with Rokoduguni’s debut against New Zealand in 2014.
Despite his Fijian heritage, he made the decision to represent England.
âI called my dad and they were surprised I got the call,â he said.
“The rest of the village was like ‘why are you playing for England?’ Why? You should play for Fiji.
“You know what? I’m just going to go. It was one of my fondest rugby memories.”
Both men look forward to the return of inter-service competitions and the man in the army expects it to be an exciting race to reign supreme in service.
“I think with the level of competition the next game will be up there,” said Rokoduguni.
âMost of the boys are playing professionally right now.
“I’m so looking forward to it. It’s going to be exciting.”
You can hear the full interview with Josh McNally and Semesa Rokoduguni on the new Forces Sport podcast which is available on all podcasts from 4.30pm UK time every Monday.