History-making Irish Defence Forces ready for UKAF clash at 2025 IDRC

One of the most intriguing battles at this year's International Defence Rugby Competition comes in Pool A as the hosts from the UK Armed Forces take on neighbours and rivals from the Irish Defence Forces.

It's the Irish team's first involvement in the tournament and they'll be hopeful of providing a stern challenge and getting out of a pool that also involves Zambia and Tonga.

Their preparation for the tournament has included seven training camps as well as a number of warm-up matches.

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"A lot of prep work went in from the start of the year onwards," said Leading Seaman Clodagh Bradshaw who started playing rugby when she was 16 with Greystones RFC, and now stars for Club Dolphin RFC.

"It's a big commitment with people travelling from all over the country, so between nutrition, strength, conditioning and pitch work, everyone's put in the effort and we're ready to go."

Airwoman Shauna Bennett currently plays for Banbridge RFC and has experience playing in England with Leeds Beckett University.

She's expecting the journey that the squad embarked on at the start of the preparation stage to pay off in the tournament.

"We've been doing training camps and challenge matches. We went from the basics right up to the full game situations, so yeah, there's been a lot of training involved," she said.

"The girls have come a long way and we look good."

This year's IDRC has already been earmarked as a major step in the progression of women's rugby, particularly in the Armed Forces, and that is the same for this Irish team.

"I think it's such a great opportunity for women's rugby," said Lieutenant Aisling Noonan, who brings fresh energy to the squad having only been in the Defence Forces for three years.

"In the Defence Forces, it's a great opportunity. We'll be making history as the first Irish women's Defence Forces team to compete in the IDRC. I'm really looking forward to it."

Find out more about the 2025 International Defence Rugby Competition and BFBS Forces News' coverage of the tournament by heading to the IDRC hub page.

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