Army and Wales star Bethan Dainton prepared for the game and is expected to be a key player for UKAF in the tournament Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — Army and Wales star Bethan Dainton prepared for the game and is expected to be a key player for UKAF in the tournament (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF sing national anthem at IDRC Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — Proudly singing: UKAF's rendition of the national anthem was full of passion in New Zealand (Picture: Alligin Photography).

The UKAF players show team unity on the pitch with the British flag flying proudly in the background Credit Alligin Photography — The UKAF players show team unity on the pitch with the British flag flying proudly in the background (Picture: Alligin Photography).

Navy captain Rose Dixon appearing for UKAF Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022 — Royal Navy captain Rose Dixon trying to work her way through a tough Australian defence (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF's attacking talent was on show despite missing RAF trio Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bonar and Carys Williams-Morris at the Rugby World Cup — UKAF's attacking talent was on show despite missing RAF trio Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bonar and Carys Williams-Morris at the Rugby World Cup (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF pep talk IDRC 2022 v Aus Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — A strong pep talk was on show as UKAF looked to avoid defeat (Picture: Alligin Photography).

Sally Stott running with ball UKAF v Australia IDRC 2022 Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — Sally Stott was looking to continue her good form in a UKAF shirt (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF v Aus Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — UKAF pushing for the line in the Auckland sun (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF celebrate try Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — UKAF celebrate getting on the scoresheet after unlocking the defence of Australia (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF v Aus post match respect Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — Despite the defeat, respect was shown between the two teams at full-time (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF's new caps celebrate v Aus IDRC 2022 Credit BFBS DATE 11102022.jpg — UKAF included a number of new debutants and those players celebrated their new caps together (Picture: Alligin Photography).

Army and Wales star Bethan Dainton prepared for the game and is expected to be a key player for UKAF in the tournament Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

UKAF sing national anthem at IDRC Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

The UKAF players show team unity on the pitch with the British flag flying proudly in the background Credit Alligin Photography

Navy captain Rose Dixon appearing for UKAF Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022

UKAF's attacking talent was on show despite missing RAF trio Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bonar and Carys Williams-Morris at the Rugby World Cup

UKAF pep talk IDRC 2022 v Aus Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

Sally Stott running with ball UKAF v Australia IDRC 2022 Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

UKAF v Aus Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

UKAF celebrate try Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

UKAF v Aus post match respect Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

UKAF's new caps celebrate v Aus IDRC 2022 Credit BFBS DATE 11102022.jpg

Rugby Union

In pictures: UKAF's IDRC opening match against Australia ends in defeat

Army and Wales star Bethan Dainton prepared for the game and is expected to be a key player for UKAF in the tournament Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — Army and Wales star Bethan Dainton prepared for the game and is expected to be a key player for UKAF in the tournament (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF sing national anthem at IDRC Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — Proudly singing: UKAF's rendition of the national anthem was full of passion in New Zealand (Picture: Alligin Photography).

The UKAF players show team unity on the pitch with the British flag flying proudly in the background Credit Alligin Photography — The UKAF players show team unity on the pitch with the British flag flying proudly in the background (Picture: Alligin Photography).

Navy captain Rose Dixon appearing for UKAF Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022 — Royal Navy captain Rose Dixon trying to work her way through a tough Australian defence (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF's attacking talent was on show despite missing RAF trio Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bonar and Carys Williams-Morris at the Rugby World Cup — UKAF's attacking talent was on show despite missing RAF trio Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bonar and Carys Williams-Morris at the Rugby World Cup (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF pep talk IDRC 2022 v Aus Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — A strong pep talk was on show as UKAF looked to avoid defeat (Picture: Alligin Photography).

Sally Stott running with ball UKAF v Australia IDRC 2022 Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — Sally Stott was looking to continue her good form in a UKAF shirt (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF v Aus Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — UKAF pushing for the line in the Auckland sun (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF celebrate try Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — UKAF celebrate getting on the scoresheet after unlocking the defence of Australia (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF v Aus post match respect Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg — Despite the defeat, respect was shown between the two teams at full-time (Picture: Alligin Photography).

UKAF's new caps celebrate v Aus IDRC 2022 Credit BFBS DATE 11102022.jpg — UKAF included a number of new debutants and those players celebrated their new caps together (Picture: Alligin Photography).

Army and Wales star Bethan Dainton prepared for the game and is expected to be a key player for UKAF in the tournament Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

UKAF sing national anthem at IDRC Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

The UKAF players show team unity on the pitch with the British flag flying proudly in the background Credit Alligin Photography

Navy captain Rose Dixon appearing for UKAF Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022

UKAF's attacking talent was on show despite missing RAF trio Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bonar and Carys Williams-Morris at the Rugby World Cup

UKAF pep talk IDRC 2022 v Aus Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

Sally Stott running with ball UKAF v Australia IDRC 2022 Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

UKAF v Aus Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

UKAF celebrate try Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

UKAF v Aus post match respect Credit Alligin Photography Date 11102022.jpg

UKAF's new caps celebrate v Aus IDRC 2022 Credit BFBS DATE 11102022.jpg

The UK Armed Forces women's rugby union team have kicked off their IDRC competition with defeat to Australia and you can see the best pictures from the match in our gallery below.

The 32-10 loss was not how John Wilding wanted his team to start but as Alligin Photography's pictures show, it was a match played with passion from both teams.

UKAF will look to get back into contention against Fiji on Friday.

Relive UKAF's IDRC opener with the image gallery above provided by Alligin Photography.

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