Women's British and Irish Lions rugby union side to tour for first time

The British and Irish Lions have announced that a women's team will go on tour for the first time, playing matches in New Zealand in 2027.

The Lions are made up of the best players from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

The tour will be held in September 2027 and will include three matches against New Zealand who are six-time world champions, last winning the tournament in 2022 when they beat England in a dramatic final.

Men's Lions tours have taken place since 1888 and are put together every four years to face one of the world's best rugby teams between Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Lions chairperson and former Wales winger Ieuan Evans said the move was a "key development for women's rugby and women's sport in general".

Meanwhile, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said: "When the opportunity arose to be part of history - we knew we wanted to be part of it."

"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."

England's women have had the greatest success compared to the other nations included in a Lions side.

The Red Roses were runners-up at the 2022 World Cup and since the Women's Six Nations was introduced in 2002, England have won 14 of the 22 editions of the tournament - including the last five in a row.

In comparison over the past three years, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have all finished in last place leading to concerns that a Lions team will be dominated by English players.

Niamh Briggs a former Ireland women's rugby union international says "Each nation has hugely successful players."

Explaining that England's women players have more money for development of the national side compared to other nations, Briggs added: "I understand that England have a huge amount of brilliant players and unbelievable investment.

"But I sit back and watch a Women's Premiership game and I see players from Wales, Scotland and Ireland performing in it week in, week out. They don't look out of place."