The British and Irish Lions will launch a women's team touring New Zealand in 2027, a historic first.
This episode of the Women's Rugby Pod is a solo show dedicated to the historic announcement of a British and Irish Lions women's team. Host John Kenny provides exclusive reaction and interviews from the official launch event. He spoke with key figures including CEO Ben Calveley, Chairman Ieuan Evans, and steering committee members Megan Gaffney and Niamh Briggs.
The inaugural Lions women's tour is confirmed for New Zealand in September 2027. The schedule will feature three test matches against the Black Ferns, with a probable warm-up game against France. Principal partnerships for the team and series were unveiled with Royal London and Howden. Royal London is the funding partner and front-of-jersey sponsor for the official Lions women's team kit. Howden is the series title partner for the Howden British and Irish Lions Women's Series. The Royal London investment is also directed toward player development across the four home nations. The episode will later feature an interview with Gloucester-Hartpury's Ciara Maloney about ongoing Premier 15s action. The announcement represents a landmark moment for the professionalization and visibility of women's rugby.
The creation of a women's Lions team fulfills a long-held ambition within the sport's community. A dedicated steering committee featuring former internationals was established to guide the project. The tour timing in 2027 allows for extensive planning and commercial structuring. Securing major sponsors like Royal London before a single game is played signals strong commercial confidence. The focus on player development funding aims to strengthen the talent pool across Britain and Ireland. The host secured exclusive access to the CEOs and architects of the announcement at the launch event.
The tone is excited, informative, and celebratory, mirroring a major news bulletin in sports media. The style is direct and interview-driven, prioritizing primary sources and official statements.
This episode is essential for fans of women's rugby and followers of the British and Irish Lions tradition. Listeners seeking only match analysis from the current club season might find the first segment purely news-focused.
