Back in the day, long, long ago, when rugby was an amateur sport, and there were no professional teams, or leagues, there were considered to be ten top teams in London. Blackheath, Harlequin, London Irish, London Scottish, London Welsh, Richmond, Rosslyn Park, Saracens, Wasps, and the Metropolitan Police.

The Met were often left out of the list of top clubs, and I was never really sure why. They had some excellent opponents in their fixture list, played at least twice most weeks (more it seems than many of the first-class sides) and importantly they did have some serious players on their books. I know I photographed Paul Ackford, Martin Bayfield and Simon Dear, all top men, and first-class players and all whilst they were playing for the Met. By the time they got to wearing England shirts Ackford and Bayfield had moved on to Harlequin and Northampton for sure, but I photographed them first for the Met Police.

The army side, just like the RAF, and the Royal Navy, also had some serious players, many going onto recognised first class rugby. There are some names one can spot on this team list as well. Will Carling, Paul Hull, Josh Lewsey, Tim Rodber, Rory Underwood, Rob Wainwright, Martin Whitcombe (and many others) were forces players I photographed playing top class rugby.