Braywick Park hosts fierce IDRC battle as France begin title defence with win

France defeated Australia 22-17 at Maidenhead RFC’s Braywick Park on Saturday. Credit: Alligin Photography / © Neil Kennedy

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Maidenhead’s Braywick Park hosted a pool match of the International Defence Rugby Competition on Saturday, a pre-curser to the Women’s Rugby World Cup which gets underway in England later this month.

Reigning champions The French Armed Forces took on a well-drilled Australian Defence Force team in their opening Pool B tie on Saturday, with the French emerging victorious thanks to a late try from substitute Julie Del Corral.

Eight teams of formidable female soldiers, sailors and airwomen from countries across the world will lock horns over the coming weeks to determine which nation has the best armed forces rugby team.

The current holders were given a mighty scare by the Australians on Saturday, but in a topsy-turvy clash they showed their character to come through for a 22-17 victory.

They took the lead in the first half through winger Melanie Bousquet who managed to sneak her way over in the corner. Fly half Melissa Bergeron slotted the extras to give France a 7-0 lead, but that simply led to a spot of complacency rather than settling their nerves.

Australia hit back with two tries in quick succession from Monifa See Kee to turn the contest on its head. First, she collected a pass from skipper Caitlyn Costello to charge away from the French defenders to score. The try was unconverted, but Australia had their tails up and they scored again within minutes as See Kee outstripped the French defence for a second time to make it 7-10.

Had they held onto that lead into the break, the game might have had a different outcome, but the French managed to sneak over the tryline in the final seconds of the half through loose head prop Lise Arricastre.

There were only two points between the teams heading into the second period and there was little to choose between the teams on the field. Bergeron managed to slot a penalty to edge the French further ahead (15-10) but Australia were far from ready to throw in the towel and they grasped back the lead in stunning fashion when substitute Sarah Riordan rolled off a tackle close to the line and dived over to score.

Mykayla Crisp then held her nerve to add the conversion to make it 15-17 but the French then showed why they’re reigning champions. With minutes remaining they managed to get good field position once again in the Australian 22, and substitute Julie Del Corral forced her way over under the posts despite some desperate defence to try and keep her out.

With the conversion France held on for a 22-17 victory and they’ll now go on to play Fiji and the Australians will play a team from the Vodafone LooseHeadz at Henley on Friday, August 22.

The International Defence Rugby Competition brings together military teams from across the globe in a celebration of sport, camaraderie, and competition.

Matches are being staged across the south with pool and knock out clashes being held in Maidenhead, Basingstoke, Henley, Aldershot, Esher and Richmond. The tournament will culminate with a final at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium on September 3.

France are the reigning champions having edged out hosts New Zealand to win the inaugural competition in 2022.