STAGE THE ARMED FORCES’ WORLD CUP

Alan Pearey reports on the leading tournament for women in defence

- By Alan Pearey

MILITARY RUGBY was represented at the Women's Rugby World Cup by the likes of the RAF's Amy Cokayne and Sarah Bonar, and Army Guardsman Manuqalo Komaitai, who turned out for Fiji. But a whole lot more serving personnel could be seen on English playing fields as the second Women's International Defence Rugby Competition (IDRC) took place in late summer.

IDRC 2022 was an eight-team tournament, with the UK, Ireland, France, Australia, Fiji, Tonga and Zambia being joined by a scratch Vodafone LooseHeadz side to provide two equal pools. All the teams stayed at Sandhurst and travelled to clubs in the region.

Zambia were the outlier. In the land of short holidays, USA players couldn't take three weeks' leave to participate. But Mark Drown, head of the charity USA Military Rugby, has coached in Zambia and suggested the African nation might like to take part.

"They were over the moon to have the opportunity," says Lieutenant Commander Laura Blagden, the tournament manager and lead organiser. "There were some funding issues that we helped out with. But I thought they made the IDRC something special. And halfway through the tournament I got an email from Botswana saying they wish they had been invited!"

Admin errors meant Zambia were late arriving and forfeited their game against Ireland. They went on to reach the (secondary) Challenge Cup final after crushing Tonga 90-0 at Basingstoke and putting the wind up the UK team, losing 33-22 at Aldershot Garrison.