2025 Women’s International Defence Rugby Competition Today Launches At Sandhurst

BFBS to Broadcast as Official Media Partner

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) will deliver exclusive livestream coverage of the 2025 Women’s International Defence Rugby Competition (IDRC), bringing forces audiences around the world closer to the action.

Hosted in the UK by the British Army, the tournament today launched with an Opening Ceremony at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Berkshire. Fixtures will take place over three weeks at venues across the UK, culminating in the final at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, on 3 September.

Now in its 21st year, the IDRC is the world’s premier military rugby tournament. In 2025 the second Women’s International Defence Rugby Competition will take place, running throughout August and September, featuring elite teams made up of soldiers, sailors and airwomen from armed forces around the world, plus a unique squad brought together by Vodafone and rugby mental health charity LooseHeadz. All teams will compete for the title of the greatest armed forces rugby team in the world.

As the official media partner for the 2025 competition, BFBS will livestream selected fixtures via Forces News YouTube and Forces News Facebook ensuring service personnel, veterans, and rugby fans worldwide never miss a moment.

BFBS will be covering every twist and turn of the tournament across its radio, TV and digital platforms, on both BFBS and BFBS Forces News channels.

Fixture Tickets Are On Sale Here:

Round 1

17 August

• UK v Tonga - Esher RFC
• Ireland v Zambia - Esher RFC

18 August

• France v Australia - Maidenhead RFC
• Fiji v Vodafone LooseHeadz - Maidenhead RFC

Round 2
21 August

• Zambia v Tonga - Basingstoke RFC
• UK v Ireland - Basingstoke RFC

22 August

• France v Fiji - Henley RFC
• Australia v Vodafone LooseHeadz - Henley RFC

Round 3
25 August

• UK v Zambia - Aldershot Garrison
• Tonga v Ireland - Aldershot Garrison

26 August

• Fiji v Australia - Aldershot Garrison
• Vodafone LooseHeadz v France - Aldershot Garrison

Challenge Cup Semi
29 August

• 3rd Pool A v 4th Pool B - Guilford RFC
• 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A - Guilford RFC

Cup Semi
30 August

• Winner Pool A v 2nd Pool B - Richmond RFC
• Winner Pool B v 2nd Pool A - Richmond RFC

Challenge Final
2 September

• 7th/8th Play Off - Newbury RFC
• Challenge Cup Final - Newbury RFC

Cup Final
3 September

• 3rd/4th Play Off - Kingsholm Stadium
• IDRC Final - Kingsholm Stadium

Don’t miss a moment, follow BFBS on social media, and visit BFBS Forces News for the latest livestreaming information, which can then be watched over at Forces News YouTube and Forces News Facebook.