The British & Irish Lions have officially announced their inaugural Women’s Tour — and it’s set for New Zealand in 2027.
The landmark series will take place in September and feature three Test matches against the Black Ferns, the dominant six-time world champions.
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The Lions will also play pre-Test fixtures, though the full schedule is yet to be finalised.
Lions chair and former Wales winger Ieuan Evans hailed the tour as a monumental step, saying it was a
“key development for women’s rugby and women’s sport in general”.
Lions chief executive Ben Calveley reinforced the significance of the move:
“Supporting the growth of the women’s game is a key strategic priority for the British & Irish Lions as it is for each of our unions.
Significant effort has gone into exploring the concept of a Lions Women’s Tour and great credit needs to go to the members of our steering committee, our board, and our staff.
In particular, I want to recognise the collaboration of our four unions and thank them for their continued support and the level of commitment they have shown throughout this journey.”Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
The historic announcement followed a January 2024 feasibility study into the potential for a women’s tour — examining everything from brand strength to logistics, commercial value, and spectator interest.
The Lions, traditionally made up of players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, have toured since 1888, with the men rotating between New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia every four years. The women now step into that legacy with their own moment to shine.
Hosts New Zealand Rugby were quick to welcome the opportunity.
“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,” said NZR CEO Mark Robinson.
“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 2022 Rugby World Cup saw the Black Ferns edge England in a dramatic final, further cementing their place at the top of the women’s game.
The 2027 tour has already secured sponsorship, adding yet another vote of confidence to this long-anticipated next step for women’s rugby.
After over a century of men’s touring history, the Lions women are ready to write a new chapter.
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“Goodbye Caterpillar ruck” – Four more rugby law changes for 2025
Rugby thrives on a mix of tradition and evolution, but some laws may no longer serve the game as effectively as they once did.
As the sport grows faster, stronger, and more tactical, certain laws stand out as ripe for reconsideration—not to upend the game, but to make it fairer, safer, and more exciting.
We highlight four specific laws that, with thoughtful updates, could better reflect the way rugby is played today. These ideas come from a deep respect for the game and a desire to see it flourish for players and fans alike.
World Rugby has shown it’s willing to adapt in recent years—these could be the next steps in that evolution.
1. Fewer Substitutions
Rugby has changed significantly over the years, and one of the biggest shifts is how the bench is used. These days, teams often bring on almost an entirely new forward pack late in the game. Big, fresh players crash into tired defenders, making the final 20 minutes less about skill and endurance, and more about brute force. Many fans and former players feel this has turned rugby into a collision sport rather than a contest of stamina and intelligence.
Reducing the number of substitutions would encourage players to pace themselves. Space would open up in the second half, creating more opportunities for creative play rather than endless phases of pick-and-go. It would reward fitness, smart decision-making, and those capable of performing for the full 80 minutes.
Fewer substitutions wouldn’t just make the game more exciting—it would make it fairer, safer, and more in line with the spirit of what rugby has always been about.
With the rise of 6–2 and even 7–1 bench splits, pioneered by Rassie Erasmus, the trend seems to be heading in the opposite direction. That’s all the more reason to act now.