Veterans Minister Al Carns says IDRC 2025 is an opportunity to show what women's rugby can do

Veterans Minister Al Carns is ready for a scintillating summer of rugby with IDRC 2025 and he hopes the tournament will be an opportunity to show what the women's sport can do.

The International Defence Rugby Competition will be hosted by the UK Armed Forces in August and into September with matches at grounds such as Richmond Athletic Ground and Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester.

"Here in England, we're going to have the best of women's rugby come together," said Mr Carns.

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"It's going to be really, really impressive and the more nations that get involved, the better."

As well as the UKAF team, the champions from the French Armed Forces as well as teams from Fiji and Australia will be coming to the UK to compete.

He said: "It's really going to champion women's rugby right at the very top which is fantastic not only for those who are playing, but the nation as a whole."

The Veterans Minister also spoke about the UKAF team and how the unity of all three services could fire the hosts to success.

"It's so important," he said. "Unity is everything in the military and for teamwork. Getting everybody in together, getting on the same side and pushing it forward is absolutely a priority."

The games kick off with UKAF hosting Tonga on 17 August and you can watch the match live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel.