British & Irish Lions announce historic first Lions Women’s Tour

The Launch of The British & Irish Lions Women, London, England 16/1/2024 Former player E Megan Gaffney at the launch of The British & Irish Lions Women INPHO/Billy Stickland

The Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series will take place in New Zealand, the home of the current world champions with the Lions Women’s team playing three Tests against the Black Ferns alongside pre-Test fixtures.

This announcement follows a feasibility study funded by Lions Founding Partner Royal London, which concluded that the optimum time for the Tour is 2027.  The feasibility study also investigated all key aspects of creating a Lions Women’s Tour with a consultation process exploring brand, commercial, financial, spectator, logistical, and scheduling considerations.

The feasibility study was followed by a Tour host selection process with New Zealand emerging as the preferred Tour destination. Further details associated with the Tour are set to be announced in due course.

The British & Irish Lions is also pleased to unveil major commercial partnerships for the Lions Women’s Tour, in what is a significant endorsement for the Tour and Series, women’s rugby, and women’s sport generally.

The UK’s largest life, pensions, and investments mutual, Royal London is confirmed as Founding Partner of the Lions Women’s Team. It will also be the front of jersey sponsor for the official jersey, after funding the original feasibility study as longstanding supporters of the prospect of a Lions Women’s Tour.

The partnership will also see Royal London invest in player development in each of The British & Irish Lions constituent Unions through the delivery of a special elite players’ Pathways Funding grant.

Leading global insurance group Howden meanwhile has been confirmed as the Series Title Partner of the inaugural Lions Women’s Tour which will be named the Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series. Howden’s support for the Lion’s Women’s Tour is part of its overall partnership with The British & Irish Lions which also sees them support the Lions at a community level via the Lions Origin Clubs, as well as being the official front of jersey sponsor for the upcoming 2025 Lions Men’s Tour to Australia.

Former Scotland international Megan Gaffney, who represented Scotland at the launch, said: “I am really proud to be part of such an historic day today.

“This announcement is incredibly exciting for players within Scotland and the other home nations and shows just how far the game has grown.”