Rugby Union

UKAF make sensational start to IDRC by scoring 17 tries against Tonga in Esher

All 17 UKAF tries against Tonga in the IDRC opener

The UK Armed Forces women's rugby union team sent a message to their IDRC rivals with a stunning 105-0 victory over Tonga in the opening match of the tournament.

The RAF's Daisy Aspinall was the headline maker, scoring five tries in a scintillating performance from Sarah Mitchelson's UKAF team.

Jasmine Abel, from the Royal Navy, grabbed a hat-trick of tries while UKAF and British Army captain Jade Mullen scored twice.

Other scorers for UKAF included Rae Metters, Sarah Batley, Courtney Pursglove, all from the Army, and Lucy Nye, Tyler Lewis and Kim Grundy from the RAF.

Air Force and UKAF kicker Daisy Fahey also had a fruitful day by scoring 20 points from conversions and adding five more with a try of her own.

UKAF will look to take that form into Thursday's match against the Irish Defence Forces, who saw their match against Zambia cancelled due to the Zambian team's travel struggles.

The Irish have been given a bye, but UKAF's try-scoring fun means they top Pool A.

John Wilding and Erica Mills react to UKAF's thumping of Tonga

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