Amy Cokayne lifts lid on new England leadership role, her Inter Service status and a women's Lions tour

RAF rugby union star and England vice-captain Flight Lieutenant Amy Cokayne says her leadership style is "more direct" than the rest but hopes to inspire the Red Roses to yet another Six Nations title.

England are the team everyone wants to beat this year, but Flt Lt Cokayne kicked off the tournament in style by scoring a try to celebrate her 90th cap as England beat Ireland 33-12 at a packed-out Allianz Stadium.

Flt Lt Cokayne was recently named vice-captain of the team and it was a decision that surprised her.

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"I was obviously excited," she said. "I've never really had a leadership role, in that sense, in this England squad.

"I think everyone else is pretty much pregnant so they scraped the barrel a little bit on that one. I think me and John [Mitchell] have a really good relationship. I know what he wants from me and and I can have that open and honest conversation with him so, yeah, I think it's a good working relationship."

Having graduated through RAF Cranwell, Cokayne's experiences are different to those in the England team but the change in style is something she's proud of.

She said: "I think that my leadership style is a lot more direct compared to the other leaders that we've got so it can be quite good when decisions need to be made and it needs to be quick.

"Meg and Alex are all kind of different personalities in that sense so we kind of have a good cover across the whole board on that."

Will she be at the Inter Service matches in 2026?

It's a blow for the RAF but Flt Lt Cokayne confirmed to BFBS the expected news that she will not be able to compete for the Air Force at this year's Inter Service championships.

The Six Nations means England travel to Scotland on 19 April, which is the same day as the RAF's opening match against the Navy at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens – which is being broadcast live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, the RAF's clash with the Army at Kingsholm Stadium is on 16 May, just a day before England's potentially title-winning day in France.

The RAF star explained: "I've got Sophie Benavent with me [at Sale Sharks]. She's in the Army and she's always asked me: 'Are you going to be playing Inter Service this year?' Unfortunately not due to the Six Nations." 

A historic first-ever women's Lions tour?

There have been rumours that a women's Lions tour could be in the works. The men's tournament is one of the most prestigious rugby tours seeing a British and Irish team featuring the best from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland team together down under.

Flt Lt Cokayne would love to be involved if it happens, but believes that time will stand in her way.

"I think anyone that was involved in women's rugby now would be stupid if they said they weren't [interested]," she said.

"I think it's years away. Anything can happen – hooker is quite a competitive position as welI. I would be a very good tourist if they want to take me on tour anyway and not play me, but no, obviously I'd love to do it."

Hear more from the England vice-captain in our in-depth interview above as she also discusses the Army's PWR sponsorship, the future of women's rugby and how she celebrated a World Cup win with a tattoo.