British and Irish Lions to introduce women’s team for landmark series against New Zealand

The British and Irish Lions are gearing up for a new era as they prepare to unveil a women’s team set to compete in a three-Test rugby union series against New Zealand in 2027, as reported by The Times.

Comprising players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the trailblazing tour is anticipated to feature additional fixtures aimed at bolstering their preparation for the challenging series against the Black Ferns, who are the current world champions. While a schedule is yet to be finalised, an official announcement of the tour is expected in the coming week.

The inception of discussions about a women’s team dates back to 2019, with significant progress occurring in 2021 when Royal London joined as the principal partner of the Women’s Lions program. The partnership involved funding and active participation in a feasibility study, exploring the establishment of a women’s team.

The study, conducted last February, held optimistic initial findings after researching into various aspects, including rugby dynamics, branding, commercial viability, financial considerations, spectator engagement, logistical challenges and scheduling logistics.

The 13-member steering group, led by former Lions and Wales winger Ieuan Evans, included key figures such as Lions chief executive Ben Calveley, former England international Shaunagh Brown and former Ireland international Niamh Briggs.

Expressing confidence in the concept, Evans remarked last year, “We know there is significant support for the concept of creating a Lions women’s team, and this is an important step along the way to exploring how that can be made a reality.”

According to The Times, potential destinations for a women’s tour include France and Canada, with consideration also given to the possibility of hosting the Test series.