Irish stars face uphill task to make 2027 Lions cut
THE BRITISH and Irish Lions insist merit alone will dictate selection for their first women’s tour despite England’s dominance of the sport. The Lions will play three Tests against world champions New Zealand in September 2027 in a historic moment for the women’s game that is the outcome of an extensive feasibility study. It is expected that five fixtures against provincial sides will form the buildup schedule, although the details of the itinerary have yet to be finalised. Among the challenges facing the tour is England’s clear superiority over their rival home unions, a position enhanced by being the first side to adopt professionalism. Since the Six Nations began in 2002, Ireland’s titles in 2013 and 2015 have been the only interruption to AngloFrench dominance. The Lions’ expectation is that Ireland, Wales and Scotland will have made up some of the ground by 2027, given their own move to professionalism, while the touring environment will also see some players come to the fore. Ireland have struggled in the Six Nations in recent years but have players, such as winger Beibhinn Parsons, second row Sam Monaghan and centre Eve Higgins who would definitely be in the mix for selection but it will be an uphill taks for the majority of the squad given England’s strength. Whatever happens between now and when the squad is chosen, chief executive Ben Calveley is adamant that only deserving players will be taken on the tour to New Zealand. ‘It’s really important to us that this is the best of the best. This has to be the best of the best. So meritbased selection, no quotas from the different countries,’ Calveley said. ‘We are still three-and-ahalf years away so who knows what the landscape will look like in 2027. ‘We’re not going to get into discussions around selection, but we do know that each of the home unions is investing into the growth of their women’s programmes.’