British and Irish Lions to make historic first women's tour of New Zealand

English Woman's Journal - British and Irish Lions to make historic first women's tour of New Zealand

SPORTS 16.01.2024

British and Irish Lions to make historic first women's tour of New Zealand / Photo: Marty MELVILLE - AFP/File

The British and Irish Lions will send a women's team on tour for the first time with a historic trip to New Zealand for a three-Test series in September 2027.

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The inaugural women's Lions tour will feature three clashes against the Black Ferns.

New Zealand have won six of the last seven women's World Cups, including the most recent edition in 2022 - postponed by Covid from 2021 - when over 42,000 spectators filled Eden Park in Auckland to see them beat England 34-31 in the final.

The women's Lions tour will not overlap with that year's men's World Cup and will include warm-up fixtures, but the full schedule has yet to be finalised.

"Playing three Test matches against the current world champions, the Black Ferns in New Zealand, in front of thousands of fans represents the ultimate challenge and makes for a fantastic sporting spectacle," British and Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said on Tuesday.

"We look forward to working with all our stakeholders including New Zealand Rugby to finalise an exciting inaugural tour."

Men's Lions tours have taken place since 1888, usually every four years and featuring squads comprised of players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

The decision to make a first women's Lions tour is a key development in the future of female international rugby.

England, who would likely supply the bulk of the touring party, currently top the global women's rankings ahead of second-placed New Zealand.

"When the opportunity arose to be part of history and have the honour of hosting the inaugural British & Irish Lions Women's Tour, we knew we wanted to be part of it," New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said.

"Women's rugby is growing at pace in New Zealand and following the success of the Rugby World Cup in 2022, we know the excitement world-class competition can generate."

The next men's Lions tour will be to Australia in 2025 under newly-appointed head coach Andy Farrell.

O.Jonstone--EWJ

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English Woman's Journal - British and Irish Lions to make historic first women's tour of New Zealand