THE women’s British and Irish lions are set to play for the first time in their history when they face France at the Cardiff Principality Stadium in August 2027.
This historic fixture will take place before their inaugural New Zealand tour in September where they will play three test matches against the Black Ferns.
France are currently ranked fourth in the world and have been runners up in the last seven Six Nations Championships as well as semi-finalists in the 2025 World Cup.
Eyes will be on current head coach Jo Yapp to start strong and also who she will call up to the historic tour.
“There are moments that only come round once – and this is one of them,” Yapp told BBC Sports.
“For our British and Irish Lions women’s team to step onto the feild for the frist time, on home soil and in front of our fans, is going to be incredibly special.”
The women’s Lions team was established in 2024 and appointed former Australia women’s manager Yapp in 2026.
The team was set up to create a new pinnacle of achievement for player’s across the UK and Ireland and also to grow women’s rugby by giving them the same opportunities as the men.
1888 was the first time the men’s Lions were formed and have since done 38 tours across the globe in countries such as South Africa and New Zealand.
Across August to September the women’s Lions will start off with their warm up against France and the Black Ferns XV then complete their three test matches against New Zealand.
