Manuqalo Komaitai CREDIT Alligin Photography DATE May 2025.jpg — Army star Guardsman Manuqalo Komaitai will line up for Fijiana at the Women's Rugby World Cup (Picture: Alligin Photography)

Rugby Union

Army rugby's Manuqalo Komaitai named to Fijiana's World Cup squad

Army rugby star Guardsman Manuqalo Komaitai has been named onto Fiji Women's Rugby 32-player squad for the upcoming 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Fresh to the international scene, this will be Gdsm Komaitai's first Rugby World Cup after she made her debut for Fijiana at the Oceana Championships earlier this year.

Hailing from Bau Island in Fiji, Gdsm Komaitai's international career came after she delivered a stand-out performance for the British Army at this year's Inter Service Championships, before she was invited to trial for Fijiana.

Her performance against the RAF at Kingsholm Stadium, where she scored an astonishing four tries, earned her the Player of the Match accolade and solidified her status as a key player in the squad.

A soldier in the Irish Guards, Gdsm Komaitai is the first Fijian woman to serve in the elite regiment tasked with guarding Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, and took up rugby with the Army after completing her training in 2021 as a way of keeping fit.

Guardsman Komaitai helped the Army retain their Inter Service title earlier this year, where she scored four tries against the RAF

Fijiana will play their World Cup opener against Canada in Pool A on 23 August.

Elsewhere, RAF player Flight Lieutenant Sarah Bonar is also set to play in the Women's Rugby World Cup after she was named to Scotland's 32-player squad.

This will be Flt Lt Bonar's second World Cup, having played for Scotland at the last World Cup in New Zealand.

Reacting in a post on her Instagram page, she said: "Honoured to be selected for the upcoming World Cup. To represent our wee nation means the world.

"Massive thanks to the RAF for the support every step of the way, hopefully I can make you all proud."

England star Flight Lieutenant Amy Cokayne continued her World Cup preparations by scoring a try against France in the Red Roses' final warm-up match.

Flt Lt Cokayne scored in the first half to help England to a storming 6-40 victory.

The Women's Rugby World Cup gets underway on 22 August, which will coincide with the 2025 International Defence Rugby Competition (IDRC), where all games will be shown live on BFBS Forces News YouTube.

See the full list of fixtures, schedules, and how to watch here.