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AFTER the inaugural International Defence Force Competition in 2011 down under, proudly won by the British Army in 2011, the IDRC arrives on England's shores for it's second tournament. Running throughout October alongside the Rugby World Cup as part of the Festival of Rugby, the (IDRC) pits twelve teams of battle-hardened soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines against each other to determine the greatest Armed Forces rugby team on the planet.
Teams from across the world are hosted by the Royal Navy, the British Army and the RAF for pool matches in Portsmouth, Aldershot and RAF Halton, before the semi-finals and the final are held at The Stoop, home of Harlequins, during the week of the RWC Final.
After months of planning the 12 teams of the 2015 International Defence Rugby Competition arrived at the Guildhall, Portsmouth for the opening ceremony on the 5th OCtober 2015. Teams gathered at HMS Victory for team photos before moving to the Guildhall; a massed photo on the steps of the iconic building followed with teams moving into the building to be presented with their participation medals and eying each other up. President of the IDRC committee, Lt Gen Lorimer welcomed the 550 participants and reminded them that many qualities of servicemen are matched by the values of World Rugby, and that recent results from the 2015 Rugby World Cup displayed that the IDRC should produce some mouth-watering fixtures.
The competition consists of a pool stage of 18 matches followed by a knockout stage. Entry to the pool stages and first round of play offs is completely free. There is a nominal charge of £15 a ticket for entry to the semi finals and final, to see some world class rugby across the road from the spiritual home of global rugby in Twickenham.
The tournament started with fierce aplomb aross all three venues, and day one featured an impressive performance from the incumbent champions, the British Army who tore through the Australian Services team to win 62-0, and there was a hat trick from Premiership star, Bath and England Rugby's Semesa 'Roko' Rokoduguni to boot!
Check out the pool stages of the International Defence Force Competition here:
The British Army, and the RAF went through to the knockout stages of the International Defence Rugby Competition – but the Royal Navy have suffered a shock exit following defeats by Fiji and New Zealand.
The Army came through the quarter finals safely, but the RAF were felled by France. The Navy safely sailed through to the IDRC Plate Final on 27th October at Maidenhead RFC, and surprisingly will take on Georgia, after Japan forfeited their place in the final after narrowly winning, as they had to return to Japan.
In the semi finals, neither match was close run at The Stoop, though the losing sides in both matches, France and the Defence Blacks threw all but the kitchen sink in order to reach the final. But it was first Fiji then the British Army that convincingly laid down their markers for a place in the ultimate defence forces tournament.
Come join the most respected servicemen from around the globe who serve and protect us, and enjoy a second incarnation of our great sport whilst you revel in the Rugby World Cup!
BRITISH ARMY 10 - 30 FIJI
Twickenham Stoop - Thursday 29th October 2015
KO: 19:00
HIGHLIGHTS
FIJI are the new Armed Forces World Champions. With a great display of hard clever rugby in murky conditions they beat the British Army at the Stoop by 30 points to 10.
For the Army this was a reality check. The Army did not play badly but an unbeaten Fijian XV responded to the occasion with powerful surges, penetrating skills and tackling from the top draw.
From the opening moments when lock Save Tabakanalagi seized on a mix of fumbles and indecision, to the last quarter after full back Jaoji Dakuvula dictated that the game would be played in the Army's half, the South Sea Islanders controlled the scoreboard.
In attack, the Fijians dazzled with slick accurate passing in the drizzle. They were adventurous, unpredictable and varied the pressure points forcing the Army defences to scramble. Too frequently, for a side that believed it could win, the Army missed crucial tackles and the cover had to be committed prematurely.
Worse, the Army failed to hit the top marks where it had expected to dominate. At the scrum they achieved parity at best. The line out was woeful allowing the Fiji back row to maraud off the tail-end when the Army had deployed to drive forwards.
Inexplicably the Army 'crowned' Fiji full back Dakavula as Man of Match and possibly the Championship. Too frequently they pin pointed his position and rammed the ball down his throat. Dakuvula has a 70 metre hoof and he, almost singlehandedly, ensured the Army was forced to play a defensive game in their own half, frequently resorting to desperate measures.
Gloom of course but for the Army this is, emphatically, not a back to the drawing board situation. The Reds were no less brave, no less determined and were as fit as they possibly could be. They were simply forced to play a game at a tempo that was new to them and where the time for decision making had to be instinctive.
They did spasmodically attack, none more prominent than Chris Leathem and Mattie Dwyer who is getting used to carrying the ball. Apo Vata added urgency—by which time it had become very urgent!
Fiji ran in a further three tries through Koroitakali,a second for Tabakanalani and finally Dretvierata. Dakuvula notched 10 pts with the boot.
In the dying moments Knoxy Laqekero scored a fine consolation try. Owain Davies converted from the touch line to add to his brace of penalties.
The Army has had a very good competition and Head Coach Andy Sanger will recognise new faces have entered the tortuous frame of selection for Army honours. None more so than wing Chris Leathem and scrum half Apo Vata. Just those two gives him options.
The Fijians have articulated the joys of rugby. No other team reached such heights and, in truth, they transformed the Defence Championship. It is very difficult seeing any nation wrest the Arthur Harrison VC Trophy back when the IDRC moves to Japan 2019.
TBC
15 PTE Tikilaci Vuibau 14 PTE Sevuloni Lutu 13 AB Josaia Lotawa 12 PTE Vilive Aria 11 PTE Levani Kurimudu 10 PTE Josefa Basudra 9 OS Seru Cavuilati 1 AB Vesi Rarawa 2 CPL Sireli Ledua 3 PTE Penijamini Makutu 4 AB Save Tabakanalagi 5 PTE Daveta Koroitakali 6 PTE Manoa Tamaya 7 PTE Aminiasi Nava 8 AB JOLAME BERA (C) BENCH: 16 PTE Aseri Buli 17 PTE Banuve Dretiverata 18 PTE Kalivati Tawake 19 SAPPER Watisoni Radinikuva 20 PTE Jiuta Takubu 21 PTE Nemani Koroitamana 22 PTE Sanaila Vitau 23 LCPL Jaoji Dakuvula
3rd/4th PLAY OFF
FRANCE 24 - 19 NEW ZEALAND
Twickenham Stoop - Thursday 29th October 2015
KO: 15:00
HIGHLIGHTS
TBC
15 Glen Bellam 14 Jared Deal 13 Logan Broughton 12 LOGAN VAUGHAN (C) 11 Tafa Tafa 10 Ben Wyness 9 Hamish Pyne 1 Danny Wanoa 2 Cameron Wright 3 Karl Furey 4 Mike Davys 5 Sonni Woodmass 6 Jimmy Berghan 7 Sergio Hollis 8 Ben Achilles BENCH: 16 Sam Prosser 17 Angus White 18 Charlie Togia 19 John Bailey 20 Rawiri Roughton 21 Barney Te Kani 22 Matiu Abraham 23 Chance Thompson
ROYAL NAVY 32 - 7 GEORGIA*
Maidenhead RFC - Tuesday 27th October 2015
KO: 19:00
Kyle Mason, Ben Priddey (C), John Court, John Lamsin, Edd Pascoe, Ben Fox, Jarrad Hayler, Dave Fairbrother, Johnny Stephen, Richard Cadywould, Matt Bowden, Matt Tichias, Sam Davies, Greg Welling, Jon Humphrey BENCH: Ian Cooper, Joe Burton, Josh Terry, Seta Raumakita, Cory Moore, Darren Bamford, Silvenuis Buinimasi, Tom Davies
Estatia, Sutizde, Bursaliani, Katsitadze, Tatulashvilli, Gnentsadze, Malsagishvilli, Mevikidze, Chendle, Dogonadze, Gulua, Gurabanidze, Giorgashvilli, Margiam, Kenia BENCH: Kipshidze, Kharshiladze, Geradze, Zibzibadze, Batiatvi, Kacashvilli, Jafaridze, Chikoradze
NEW ZEALAND 15 - 40 BRITISH ARMY
Twickenham Stoop - Friday 23rd October 2015
KO: 18:30 HT: 30-10
HIGHLIGHTS
15 Glen Bellam 14 Jared Deal 13 Logan Broughton 12 LOGAN VAUGHAN (C) 11 Tafa Tafa 10 Ben Wyness 9 Rawiri Broughton 1 Angus White 2 Cameron Wright 3 Karl Furey 4 Charlie Togia 5 Sonni Woodmass 6 Jimmy Berghan 7 Sergio Hollis 8 Ben Achilles BENCH: 16 Sam Prosser 17 David Motutere 18 Mike Davys 19 John Bailey 20 Hamish Pyne 21 Barney Te Kani 22 Matiu Abraham 23 Chance Thompson
15 Bdr Owain Davies 14 Rgr Chris Leathem 13 Cpl Peceli Nacamavuto 12 Cpl Gerhard Wessels 11 Pte Junior Bulumakau 10 Pte Jack Prasad 9 Cpl Tom Chennell 1 LCpl Ricky Reeves 2 LSgt Matty Dwyer 3 LCpl Chris Budgen 4 Lt Will Jones 5 SSgt Darrell Ball 6 LBdr Iferemi Boladau 7 LCpl Joe Nayacavou 8 LCpl Maku Koroiyadi BENCH: 16 Cpl Craig Fillier 17 Bdr Ken Dowding 18 Cpl Warren Ross-Allen 19 CSgt Paul Llewellyn 20 Spr Knoxy Laqekoro 21 Spr Apo Vata 22 Cpl James Farrell 23 LCpl Scott Watkins
FIJI 37 - 12 FRANCE
Twickenham Stoop - Friday 23rd October 2015
KO: 15:00 HT: 13-9
HIGHLIGHTS
15 Tikilaci Vuibau 14 Sevuloni Lutu 13 Josaia Lotawa 12 Vilive Aria 11 Levani Kurimudu 10 Josefa Basudra 9 Seru Cavuilati 1 Vesi Rarawa 2 Sireli Ledua 3 Penijamini Makutu 4 Save Tabakanalagi 5 Daveta Koroitakali 6 Manoa Tamaya 7 Aminiasi Nava 8 Jolame Bera 16 Aseri Buli 17 Banuve Dretiverata 18 Kalivati Tawake 19 Watisoni Radinikuva 20 Jiuta Takubu 21 Nemani Koroitamana 22 Sanaila Vitau 23 Jaoji Dakuvula
15 Romian Babeau 14 Jimmy Pechaud 13 Jean Marc Petoton 12 Clement Veau 11 Thibault Mercier 10 Damien Anon 1 Tuani Kafoa 2 Loic Barberel 3 Mohamed Naouas 4 Alexandre Fernandes 5 Juanito Takosi 6 Antoine Robichon 7 Jonathan Abadie 8 Gabriel Quesrel BENCH: 16 Reni Zuppel 17 Franck Carrere 18 Matthias Captus 19 Gaetan Aninat 20 Thibault Dufau 21 Frederic Corbella 22 Clement Pina-Abaujo 23 Julen Gallego
QF2
ROYAL AIR FORCE 13 - 29 FRANCE
RAF Halton - Monday 19th October 2015
KO: 11:30
HIGHLIGHTS
PLATE SF2
JAPAN 28 - 26 GEORGIA
Aldershot - Monday 19th October 2015
KO: 13:00
QF3
TONGA 8 - 45 NEW ZEALAND
RAF Halton - Monday 19th October 2015
KO: 14:30
HIGHLIGHTS
PLATE SF1
ROYAL NAVY 116 - 0 CANADA
Portsmouth - Monday 19th October 2015
KO: 15:00
QF4
BRITISH ARMY 54 - 17 SOUTH AFRICA
Aldershot - Monday 19th October 2015
KO: 16:00
HIGHLIGHTS
QF1
FIJI 62 - 8 AUSTRALIA
Portsmouth - Monday 19th October 2015
KO: 19:00
HIGHLIGHTS
GEORGIA 12 - 92 TONGA
RAF Halton - Thursday 15th October 2015
KO: 11:30 (Pool C)
AUSTRALIA 145 - 7 CANADA
Aldershot - Thursday 15th October 2015
KO: 13:00 (Pool B)
ROYAL AIR FORCE 24 - 7 SOUTH AFRICA
RAF Halton - Thursday 15th October 2015
KO: 14:30 (Pool C)
NEW ZEALAND 6 - 34 FIJI
Portsmouth - Thursday 15th October 2015
KO: 15:30 (Pool A)
BRITISH ARMY 23 - 24 FRANCE
Aldershot - Thursday 15th October 2015
KO: 16:00 (Pool B)
ROYAL NAVY 64 - 11 JAPAN
Portsmouth - Thursday 15th October 2015
KO: 19:00 (Pool A)
TONGA 31 - 32 SOUTH AFRICA
RAF Halton - Monday 12th October 2015
KO: 11:30 (Pool C)
FRANCE 11 - 15 AUSTRALIA
Aldershot - Monday 12th October 2015
KO: 13:00 (Pool B)
ROYAL AIR FORCE 87 - 12 GEORGIA
RAF Halton - Monday 12th October 2015
KO: 14:30 (Pool C)
FIJI 78 - 3 JAPAN
Portsmouth - Monday 12th October 2015
KO: 15:30 (Pool A)
BRITISH ARMY 128 - 6 CANADA
Aldershot - Monday 12th October 2015
KO: 16:00 (Pool B)
ROYAL NAVY 24 - 34 NEW ZEALAND
Portsmouth - Monday 12th October 2015
KO: 19:00 (Pool A)
SOUTH AFRICA 83 - 3 GEORGIA
RAF Halton - Thursday 8th October 2015
KO: 11:30 (Pool C)
FRANCE 76 - 10 CANADA
Aldershot - Thursday 8th October 2015
KO: 13:00 (Pool B)
ROYAL AIR FORCE 18 - 21 TONGA
RAF Halton - Thursday 8th October 2015
KO: 14:30 (Pool C)
JAPAN 5 - 55 NEW ZEALAND
Portsmouth - Thursday 8th October 2015
KO: 15:30 (Pool A)
BRITISH ARMY 62 - 0 AUSTRALIA
Aldershot - Thursday 8th October 2015
KO: 16:00 (Pool B)
ROYAL NAVY 17 - 51 FIJI
Portsmouth - Thursday 8th October 2015
KO: 19:00 (Pool A)
POOL A |
|||||||
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
P |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
161 |
26 |
15 |
|
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
95 |
61 |
10 |
|
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
105 |
96 |
5 |
|
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
19 |
197 |
0 | |
POOL B |
|||||||
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
P |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
213 |
30 |
11 |
|
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
111 |
48 |
10 |
|
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
160 |
79 |
9 |
|
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
22 |
349 |
0 |
|
POOL C |
|||||||
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
P |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
144 |
62 |
11 |
|
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
129 |
40 |
10 |
|
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
122 |
58 |
10 |
|
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
27 |
262 |
0 |
|
POOLS, QFs & PLATE FINAL
Entry to all pool, quarter finals and plate final is FREE.
Tickets for the Semi Finals on Friday 23rd October at The Twickenham Stoop are priced at just
£10
Tickets for the Final on Thursday 29th October at The Twickenham Stoop are priced at just
£15
You can buy tickets from the following outlets...
Online via the 
website:
In person at:
The Twickenham Stoop, Langhorn Drive, Twickenham TW2 7SX
TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE GATE
ALDERSHOT
Army Rugby Stadium
Queens Avenue, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2TD
PORTSMOUTH
Royal Navy Rugby Stadium
HMS TEMERAIRE, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO1 2HB
HALTON
The Royal Air Force Rugby Ground
RAF Halton, Halton, Bucks HP22 5PG
MAIDENHEAD
Maidenhead RFC
Braywick Rd, Maidenhead, West Berkshire SL6 1BN
TWICKENHAM
Twickenham Stoop
Langhorn Drive, Twickenham TW2 7SX
