The UK Armed Forces women’s rugby union have opened their International Defence Rugby Competition with defeat to Australia.

A 32-20 loss in New Zealand was not the start to the IDRC tournament that John Wilding’s team were hoping for.

The competition is running alongside the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand – where RAF star Amy Cokayne scored twice for England against Fiji.

• Amy Cokayne scores twice for England as RAF trio begin Rugby World Cup journey
• Inter Services rugby league: RAF men comfortably beat the Army in Salford
• Army-Navy ref says fixture was ‘probably one of the best experiences I’ve had’

UKAF will get a chance to get back to winning ways when they face Fiji on Friday.