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Former England international Shaunagh Brown: “Why don’t we want a Lions tour for women? In the men’s game, it’s a major honour… We know how big women’s football is, but what’s it to say that we can’t grow at that rate?” the same in rugby? The potential is limitless”
Last updated: 28/02/23 13:45
The first British and Irish Lions women’s tour could be on the cards in the coming years
The first British and Irish Lions women’s tour looks more likely after ‘positive initial findings’ from a feasibility study into the possibility.
The Lions men’s team is a Test team made up of players from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland who tour every four years, playing between South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
The men’s team last toured South Africa in 2021, losing 2-1 to the reigning world champions in the three-Test series. He will visit Australia next in 2025.
Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said on Tuesday: “It is absolutely positive that a Lions England and Ireland women’s tour is possible in the future.
“While there is much to consider, we are committed to taking the findings of this feasibility study and working with our union, as well as other stakeholders, in the coming months.
“I would like to thank World Rugby and the four unions from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales for their continued support.
“There has been a strong level of collaboration since the beginning of this process, and we are all united behind exploring this project fully.”
The 13-member steering group, led by former Lions and Wales wing Ieuan Evans, also includes Calveley, Rugby Football Union chief operating and financial officer Sue Day, Ireland Rugby Union performance director David Nucifora, plus World Rugby high performance manager Nicky Ponsford.
Evans said: “We are very encouraged by the initial findings of this feasibility study.
“We know there is significant support for the concept of creating a Lions women’s team, and this is an important step in exploring how we can make it a reality.
“Great progress has been made so far, and much work remains to be done.”
The study investigates key aspects of creating a Lions women’s tour, exploring rugby, branding, commercial, financial, spectator, logistical and scheduling considerations.
Work will continue on areas such as potential structures and tour times before a final decision is made.
Brown: The potential of women’s rugby is limitless
Former England international Shaunagh Brown believes the study’s findings have provided a “massive green light” for women’s rugby to continue its growth on the world stage, describing the sport’s potential as “limitless”.
Shaunagh Brown (left) retired from Test rugby after England’s World Cup campaign in New Zealand last year
“Why don’t we want a lion tour for women?” Brown told the Press Association. “In the men’s game, this is the ultimate honor.
“For me, as an elite athlete, you always want more. We have been given a huge green light and we have something to go for.
“Every project has to start somewhere. If and when the Lions women’s tour happens, all the players have strong potential to become professionals. We will be a force to be reckoned with.”
Brown added: “We know how big women’s football is, but why say we can’t grow at the same level in rugby? The potential is limitless.
“People around the game make decisions with the same ambitions. We want people who have ambitions as players to be in charge of our games.
“What’s exciting is how far we can go. It’s a great time to be involved and continue to be involved and it’s about embracing new people, new ideas.
England were beaten by New Zealand five times in the World Cup final in Auckland in November
“I feel it [women’s Lions tour] going to happen. It’s exciting for the whole sport, whether it happens tomorrow or in 10 years’ time.
“The train is moving, and I hope it doesn’t go down too soon.”
Brown won 30 England caps and retired from the Test arena last year after the 34-31 World Cup final defeat against New Zealand in Auckland, watched by 42,500 people at Eden Park.
The women’s Lions team is likely to be dominated by players from England, who have reached the last six women’s World Cup finals, winning the 2014 edition by beating Canada but losing the other five to New Zealand.
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