'Give them hell!' Amy Cokayne tells UKAF to bring trophy home ahead of IDRC 2025

RAF and England rugby union star Amy Cokayne has urged her UKAF teammates to make the most of a home tournament and win the 2025 International Defence Rugby Competition.

Cokayne will be keeping an eye out on all UKAF's results while she prepares for England's Rugby World Cup campaign and you can also keep up to date with all things IDRC 2025 here.

The Air Force star won two caps for UKAF and scored against the French Armed Forces in September 2021, but her successful England career has seen chances to pull on the purple shirt become difficult.

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In an exclusive interview with BFBS Sport's Jon Knighton, the Sale Sharks player discussed how she's cheering on her military team in the IDRC.

She said: "It's an amazing tournament. Obviously, when we had the World Cup in New Zealand [in 2022], it was out there and we got to see them. We actually trained at the same venue.

"It's really awesome that we get to go alongside each other [Rugby World Cup and IDRC] and hopefully they'll build on some of the hype of the World Cup as well.

"I know a lot of the girls as well, whether that's Army, Air Force or Navy, so yeah, obviously wish them all the best. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out. I'm not sure I'll get to too many games, but I'm sure they will do really well."

The weight of the purple UKAF jersey

Cokayne's UKAF debut came against a Wales development team in Cardiff in November 2017 and, with her Red Roses experience, she knows how difficult it can be to be selected for a tri-service or international squad.

"That's the beauty of UKAF," said the 2025 Six Nations winner. "Not many people get to actually do it. You have to get selected for your service and then obviously get selected for that as well.

"It's quite a difficult team to get into, and the people who get to pull on that shirt really do feel the weight of that jersey."

Cokayne's UKAF rallying cry

The UK Armed Forces team don't need any extra motivation for the 2025 IDRC tournament.

As hosts, there's an extra pressure to perform, but when an England great like Cokayne has a message for you, it's added motivation.

"I wish you all the best for the IDRC," Cokayne said. "I know you are going to go out there and smash it. I have no doubts. I'll be keeping an eye on all of your fixtures and all of your results.

"All the best. Give them hell and bring home the trophy!"