New women’s Lions team to kick off with France tour

A WOMEN’S British and Irish Lions team looks likely to be given the green light with a three-Test series in France under consideration. A feasibility study chaired by three-time tourist Ieuan Evans has endorsed the idea after an 11-month investigation.

The Lions board are examining the cost of the ambitious venture, as well as analysing the commercial and broadcast models that would be required to fund the tour.

They hope to be in a position to announce their backing by the end of next month.

It would represent a major step forward for the women’s game, which has grown significantly in recent times, as demonstrated by the Six Nations attracting a headline sponsor in TikTok for the first time this year. France have finished second to a dominant England team in the last three Six Nations and would provide credible opposition, while staying in Europe would also keep costs down in the early stages of what would be a long-term project.

One of the major challenges would be ensuring that the tourists’ squad is representative of the entire British Isles, as England are so dominant in European rugby. Simon Middleton’s team are favourites to win the World Cup when it begins in New Zealand next month, with the hosts seen as the only team who can realistically stop them.