Women's British & Irish Lions set for inaugural 2027 New Zealand Tour

The Women's British & Irish Lions will launch their inaugural tour in September 2027, traveling to New Zealand for a historic series against the Black Ferns.

This groundbreaking tour will feature three Test matches, marking a significant milestone for women's rugby, following 136 years after the first unofficial men's tour. Rugby World reported the tour will become a quadrennial event, mirroring the men's schedule understood to happen every four years.

Initially, considerations for the inaugural hosting included France, a nation that has seen considerable growth in women's rugby attendance. However, organizers ultimately decided on New Zealand, perceiving it as the most successful fit for the new venture organisers took a view that New Zealand would be a successful fit.

Squad Selection and National Diversity

Concerns have surfaced regarding potential English dominance within the Lions squad, given the Red Roses' formidable 38-game unbeaten streak and consistent top performance. However, head coach Jo Yapp is actively seeking a diverse representation of talent.

Yapp expressed her enthusiasm for players from all four nations—England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales—to compete for selection Yapp has said she is excited to see players from across all four nations. This commitment aims to ensure the squad truly reflects the British & Irish ethos.

Already, standout players from outside England are making strong cases for inclusion. Ireland's Aoife Wafer, Wales' Kelsey Jones, and Scotland's Rachel Malcolm are among those anticipated to contend for a coveted Lions jersey players like Ireland’s Aoife Wafer, Wales’ Kelsey Jones and Scotland’s Rachel Malcolm will be among those.

Tour Structure and Historical Context

The 2027 tour schedule includes five confirmed fixtures, with the three Test matches against the Black Ferns as the centerpiece. Specific dates and venues for these matches, along with the full tour itinerary, are expected to be announced closer to the tour.

The British and Irish Lions concept dates back to its 1888 formation by Alfred Shaw and Arthur Shrewsbury, initially encompassing players from England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. While officially recognized by the Rugby Football Union in 1891, the 'Lions' moniker was not adopted until 1924, becoming official in 1950 not until 1924 that they were first called the Lions.

The men's team has maintained a touring cycle every four years since its inception, producing numerous iconic tours and legendary players. The most recent men’s tour saw Andy Farrell coach the team to a significant series victory over Australia in 2025 the most recent seeing Andy Farrell coach his team to a tour win over Australia. The establishment of a women's tour on the same quadrennial cycle signifies a major step toward equitable recognition and development within the global rugby landscape.