The Isle of Man Federation consists of six member clubs. Two of these, Douglas and Vagabonds, play in the Cheshire/South Lancashire leagues. The national squad is made up of players from the island’s clubs and they played a single competitive fixture at Terenure in Dublin last season. Jersey fielding the actual Jersey Rugby Club side, which play in London South West 3, were a pretty even match for the oppostition.

A large crowd witnessed a strong performance by the Isle of Man side, which gave them a 32-0 victory over a Jersey side weakened by earlier injuries. Try scorers for the Isle of Man were John Bateson (2), Ben Dutnall, Leigh Kennaugh and Aneurin Pritchard, with Rupert Leaton converting two and also kicking a penalty. Man of the match was Isle of Man scrum half Kennaugh. The trophy was presented to Isle of Man captain, Dave Wood, by the Isle of Man Lieutenant Governor, Air Marshall Ian Macfadyen and the match was covered by ITV for Border and Channel TV. The two sides will meet again next season in Jersey with the Channel Islanders determined to lift the Wilkes Trophy. The Isle of Man are committed to developing their National side both at senior and age group levels. It is hoped that further fixtures can be arranged for the senior side against other island and mainland opposition and the U15 side are to compete as an official division of the Cheshire county structure.