Lions team for women in spotlight
A STUDY is to take place to explore the feasibility of a women’s British and Irish Lions team.
The project is set to be funded by Royal London after the insurance company was announced as an official partner of the Lions on International Women’s Day.
As well as supporting the men’s team ahead of their scheduled series against world champions South Africa later this year, the deal sees Royal London become principal partner of the women’s Lions programme.
Lions managing director Ben Calveley said: “The feasibility study is an important first step in determining whether a women’s Lions could be established and we are very grateful to have Royal London’s support and investment.
Royal London chief marketing officer Susie Logan added: “As a modern mutual, we believe in the power of acting in collective interests and that’s why it’s fantastic that we can use the combined power of the Lions and Royal London to explore whether a Lions women’s team could be established.
“Through our partnership we aim to make a positive impact on the continued success of women’s rugby.”
SAM Curran hopes his Indian Premier League commitments do not see him miss the start of England’s Test summer.
Curran has signed up for the Chennai Super Kings for a second successive year, but the 2021 IPL schedule puts him and the likes of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer at risk of missing the first Test of the summer.
The IPL play-offs take place from May 25-28 with the final set for May 30, while the start of England’s two-match series against New Zealand begins at Lord’s on June 2.
“Any time there’s England games in the summer you do want to play in them,” said all-rounder Curran.
“You’ll have to see how the IPL pans out. I guess if you miss the qualification then most likely you’ll be available for those Tests. If you’re in the final it might be a bit different.
“Those New Zealand Tests have come into the calendar recently and there’s a lot of Test cricket.
“We’ve got those games against India as well, which will be a fascinating series and hopefully played in front of home crowds.
“I’ve got good memories from the India series in 2018 and I’m really excited for the India team to come over. Fingers crossed, I’m in those squads and hopefully playing.”
Curran has returned to the England bubble for this month’s two white-ball series against India after missing the 3-1 Test series defeat to Virat Kohli’s side. The 22-year-old was rested after January’s tour of Sri Lanka and arrived in India on February 26.
Curran spent a week in his hotel room in quarantine before returning to training ahead of the five-match Twenty20 series in Ahmedabad. A three-match ODI series will follow in Pune.
England are at full-strength for a T20 series which is being viewed as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup later this year.
The seventh edition of the tournament will be played in India in October and November, and Curran accepts that puts more focus on the forthcoming series.
He said: “It is a World Cup year in T20 and there’s a lot of emphasis on us doing well in India.”