LET’S ROAR FOR LIONS - JOYCE

JASMINE Joyce believes it is time the British and Irish Lions created a women’s team.

The 23-year-old former Scarlets Ladies star featured for the Barbarians on Sunday when the invitation side were beaten 40-14 by England at Twickenham.

And Joyce, who represented Great Britain at sevens at the Rio Olympics in 2016, says the Lions should follow the example of the Baa-Baas and launch a women’s team.

The Lions have agreed in principle that a women’s team “is an important step forward” but have not yet committed to when it could happen.

In contrast, the Barbarians launched their women’s side in 2017-18.

“Hopefully they will bring out a Lions and I can get into that. That would be my next goal,” Joyce told BBC Sport.

“If the men can do it, then why can’t the women?

“It’s very similar to the Barbarians, although obviously it’s just the four countries.”

The Barbarian women began life with wins over Munster and the British Army in 2017-18, but only played their first international in April when they defeated USA EaJasmine Joyce in full flight for the Barbarians against England. gles 34-33.

They were helped on that occasion by four tries from Joyce on her Baa-Baas debut.

“I don’t think I’ve ever scored four tries in my entire life and I get to do it when I’m playing for the Barbarians,” said Joyce.

“It makes it easy playing with world-class players around you. It’s something amazing and not often you get to do it.”