The Colours I Will Stand Behind

Dear Faithful Companion,

Among the many virtues a gentleman must cultivate—duty, courage, composure—there is one that must not be neglected: the ability to discern where these virtues are tested, refined, and revealed.

This evening’s reflection turns toward a game—not merely for sport, but for character. A game of shoulder and soil, of strategy and silence, of tradition and tenacity. I write, of course, of rugby.

Why Rugby is the Officer’s Game

A Reflection on Character, Command, and the Playing Field

There are games, and then there are traditions carried by mud, blood, and mutual respect. Among them, none speak more closely to the values of a commissioned officer than rugby—a sport that is less pastime, more proving ground. For the discerning soldier, sailor, or airperson, rugby offers more than athleticism; it reflects the very principles of leadership, resilience, and honour under pressure.

Rugby, like soldiering, is organized chaos: violent in motion, but ruled by structure. There is discipline in the scrum, patience in the build-up, and strategy in every inch gained. The flow of a match is not unlike the shifting terrain of command—reactive yet composed, demanding both initiative and cohesion.

An officer who has stood under pressure on the field knows how to remain calm amid uncertainty. The decisions made in the final minute of a tied match echo those made in moments of crisis—fast, clear, and without the luxury of retreat.

Unlike many sports, rugby maintains an unspoken code: the referee is not questioned, opponents are not mocked, and the jersey—however mudstained—is worn with reverence. It’s a culture where humility is not weakness, and where conduct speaks louder than the scoreboard.

This mirrors the military ethos: respect for authority, team before self, and the quiet confidence of those who have endured together.

Sharing Hardship, Mutual Respect: Rugby is perhaps one of the few sports where you shake the hand of the person who’s just flattened you—and you mean it. As in the military, the adversary is not the enemy—they are the test. You are not taught to hate; you are taught to endure. And those who have shared the pitch, like those who have shared the field of operations, carry a bond not easily explained to others.

In an age of fast-paced distraction and fading manners, rugby—and its enduring codes—remains a quiet sanctuary for those who believe in tradition over trend. From the officer’s mess to the muddy sideline, it retains its place as a sport of character.

It is no surprise, then, that many of history’s finest military leaders, particularly within the Commonwealth, wore both regimental colours and rugby stripes. They led as they played—with grit, grace, and honour.

Verbum Ultimum

To the officer considering where their sporting allegiance might lie—look not only to the scoreboard, but to the spirit of the game. Rugby rewards those who think, who lead, and who sacrifice. It is not about being the loudest voice in the room, but the calmest in the storm.

In rugby, as in command, it is not your name on the back that matters—but the crest on your chest and the trust of those beside you.

“The nation that will insist upon drawing a broad line of demarcation between the fighting man and the thinking man is liable to find its fighting done by fools and its thinking done by cowards.”
Sir William Francis Butler

Rugby may not echo through every Canadian mess or parade square, but for those who embrace its values, it offers something enduring: a proving ground for character, a fellowship born of trial, and a quiet mirror to the soul of command.

It is a game of intelligence and instinct, one that humbles arrogance and rewards character. In it, the officer does not dominate—they serve the team, carry the burden, and pass on their strength. That, in its truest form, is command.

Post Scriptum – A Declaration of Allegiance

After much quiet research, thoughtful reflection, and a few welcome nudges from well-placed voices, I have resolved to place my sporting allegiance for the upcoming season with Bath Rugby Union.

This was not a decision made lightly, but with due regard for both tradition and temperament. In Bath, I find a club whose values mirror my own: steeped in heritage, committed to discipline, and marked by a quiet dignity that speaks louder than fanfare. Their resurgence in recent years—from the bottom of the table to a triumphant treble—demonstrates what good leadership, structure, and belief in fundamentals can achieve.

There is also something to be said for place. Bath, a city of Roman bones and Georgian skin, carries itself with the same balance of strength and refinement I seek in my own conduct. To support Bath Rugby is to support not just a team, but an institution—a living echo of honour, resilience, and the gentleman’s game played as it ought to be.

So then, let the blue, black, and white be my colours this season. Not with bravado, but with respect. Not for spectacle, but for something quietly noble.

And may I stand—whether at The Rec or afar—not as a mere spectator, but as a supporter in the truest sense: present, principled, and proud.

Play with honour. Lead with purpose
JCB

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