British & Irish Lions Women

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British & Irish Lions Women
British & Irish Lions logo (2023).svg
Unions Flag of England.svg Rugby Football Union
IRFU flag.svg Irish Rugby Football Union
Flag of Scotland.svg Scottish Rugby Union
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Welsh Rugby Union
Founded2024;2 years ago (2024)
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Kit body Lionskit.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm Lionsright.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks Lionssocks.png
Kit socks long.svg
Team kit
Official website
www.lionsrugby.com
Rugby football current event.svg Current season

The British & Irish Lions is a representative rugby union team composed of players eligible for the women's national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. [1] Established in 2024 as the women's counterpart to the men's team of the same name, the side is set to embark on its inaugural international tour to New Zealand in September 2027 where they will compete against the Black Ferns. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

History

Formation and feasibility study

The creation of a British & Irish Lions women's team was the result of extensive planning and consultation. In March 2021, Royal London was announced as a partner of the British & Irish Lions and became the Principal Partner of the Women's Lions Programme, funding a feasibility study to explore the viability of establishing a women's team and tour. [5] [6]

A 13-person feasibility study steering group was formed, chaired by Ieuan Evans, a former British & Irish Lion and Lions board member. [5] The group included experienced administrators from across professional rugby, business executives, and former international athletes. [5] The study was undertaken by sports marketing agency Two Circles and examined various aspects including commercial viability, financial considerations, spectator interest, and scheduling requirements. [6] [7]

The study concluded with positive findings, [8] determining that September 2027 would be the optimal time for the inaugural tour. This timing was chosen to fall within the women's international competition window and to avoid overlapping with the Men's Rugby World Cup taking place the same year. [1]

Following the feasibility study, a tour host selection process was conducted, with New Zealand emerging as the preferred destination, due to the strength of the New Zealand national team. [1]

Announcement

On 16 January 2024, the British & Irish Lions officially announced the formation of the women's team at an event that also unveiled the tour details and partnerships. [1] The announcement was attended by representatives from all four constituent unions.

The CEO of the British & Irish Lions Ben Calveley, described it as "a historic milestone in our 136-year history". [4] He emphasized that supporting the growth of women's rugby was a key strategic priority for the organization and its constituent unions, and thanked the four unions for their collaboration and World Rugby for regulatory reforms that made the 2027 tour possible. [9]

Ieuan Evans, Chair of the British & Irish Lions and former Wales wing, called it "a key development for women's rugby and women's sport in general". [10]

Inaugural tour

Tour details

The inaugural tour, officially titled the Howden British & Irish Lions Women's Series, will take place in New Zealand in September 2027. [1] The Lions will play three Test matches against the Black Ferns, alongside pre-Test fixtures against provincial and invitational sides. [1] [7]

New Zealand was selected as the host nation due to their prominence in women's rugby. The Black Ferns have won six Women's Rugby World Cups, most recently in the 2021 tournament where they defeated England 34–31 in front of over 42,000 spectators at Eden Park in Auckland. [11]

Mark Robinson, CEO of New Zealand Rugby, stated that women's rugby was growing rapidly in New Zealand and that hosting the tour would provide players with a pinnacle event and an aspirational pathway for emerging talent. [11]

The New Zealand government supported the bid to host the tour. Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee highlighted that hosting the event would help increase the value and visibility of women's sport in New Zealand and create new sporting heroes and role models. [11]

Selection and coaching

As of January 2026, the head coach and captain for the 2027 tour have not yet been announced. [11] Players will be selected from those eligible to represent England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The development of player pathways in all four nations has been identified as a key priority in preparation for the tour. [12]

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

British & Irish Lions kits
TourKit manufacturerShirt sponsorTour DestinationRef
2027 Nike Royal London New Zealand [13] [14]

Player perspectives

Several prominent players from the four nations have expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity to represent the Lions. England international Natasha Hunt described the prospect of bringing together the best people and players to create a legacy. [8] Ireland's Beibhinn Parsons highlighted the significance of young girls being able to see women wearing the red Lions jersey, noting it was an opportunity she did not have growing up. [8] England's Lilli Ives Campion stated it was "time to make history and shape the future". [8]

Tours

YearToCaptainHead coachTop scorer in TestsTest series resultTests record
2027 New Zealand TBATBA

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "British & Irish Lions Women's team launched". British & Irish Lions. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  2. ↑ "British and Irish Lions to face New Zealand in first women's tour in 2027". BBC Sport. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  3. ↑ "New Zealand to host inaugural British & Irish Lions Women's Tour". All Blacks. 16 January 2024. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 "CEO Ben Calveley: British and Irish Lions Women's Series announcement a historic milestone". British & Irish Lions. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "Women's Lions feasibility study group announced". Royal London. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Two Circles to undertake Women's Lions feasibility study". Two Circles. 6 September 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Lions Women". British & Irish Lions. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Lions Women's Founding Partner". Royal London. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  9. ↑ "British and Irish Lions confirm first women's Tour to take place in 2027". Sky Sports. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  10. ↑ "British and Irish Lions Announce First Women's Tour in 2027 With Destination Revealed". Ruck. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "New Zealand to host inaugural British & Irish Lions Women's Tour". NZ Rugby. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  12. ↑ "Women's Lions' unions get £3m injection ahead of first tour". ESPN. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "British & Irish Lions Agree Partnership with Nike". British & Irish Lions. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  14. ↑ Hardy, Matt (15 January 2026). "Nike returns to British and Irish Lions shirt for first time since 1993". City AM. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
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