Can the IDRC and the Rugby World Cup inspire the next generation of female players?

This year's International Defence Rugby Competition will run in the same summer as a UK-hosted Rugby World Cup, and the two tournaments could combine to provide a stepping-on point for young female players.

That's what the UKAF team are hoping for when they step out against Tonga on the opening day of the tournament on 17 August, live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel.

"Rugby is going through the roof as a women's sport at the minute," said the Army's Lance Corporal Courtney Pursglove, who is expected to be a key player for UKAF in the tournament.

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"I don't think [the IDRC] could have come at a better time especially with the World Cup. It'll just be an inspiration for the little girls or just someone to look up to. If a little girl puts a pair of boots on because of watching us or the Red Roses, then we've all done this job."

Her service captain with the Army, Staff Sergeant Jade Mullen, echoed those sentiments, saying: "Yeah, definitely excited. We can't wait to show what service rugby is about and British rugby. We're really excited for it."

With match days at a number of key community clubs, as well as a potential final at Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium, it's hoped that the IDRC tournament will get a large turnout of supporters to the matches.

Royal Navy captain Petty Officer Rose Dixon has experience of leading out her service at Twickenham Stadium and the big audiences is something she's looking forward to.

She said: "Running at the same time as the Rugby World Cup, it's just a media surge and we really want to just create a spectacle that people want to come down and watch.

"Get a nice big crowd and get as many women and girls involved with rugby as we can."