A groundbreaking £3 million grant has been announced to pave the way for the inaugural British & Irish Lions women’s team, ensuring they represent a collective effort rather than being dominated solely by England.
Scheduled for their historic first tour to New Zealand in 2027, the Lions face concerns about the potential imbalance within the squad, given England’s overwhelming success in recent Five or Six Nations tournaments.
To address this issue and promote inclusivity across all home nations, Lions sponsors have pledged funding to develop players and coaches beyond England’s borders. The initiative aims to “level the playing field” by supporting women’s rugby programs in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, in addition to England.
Former England flanker Maggie Alphonsi stressed the necessity of action to enhance competitiveness in the Six Nations, where England’s dominance has become a recurring theme. Despite England’s formidable record, efforts are underway to bolster the talent pool and elevate the standards of women’s rugby across the board.
In Wales, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) plans to utilize the funding to expand its women’s pathway coaching staff, enhancing talent identification, and investing in development programs. Meanwhile, the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) aims to recruit additional coaches and provide enhanced training opportunities for women’s under-18s and under-20s teams, alongside the national academy.
In Ireland, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) intends to host additional age-grade camps, collaborate with universities to scout talent, and introduce coaching scholarship programs to nurture aspiring coaches.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) in England will further develop existing programs, with a focus on skill enhancement and talent development.
Lions chief executive Ben Calveley hailed the grant as a “significant investment” in advancing the women’s game across the British & Irish Lions nations. The eagerly anticipated tour to New Zealand in 2027 promises to be a historic moment for women’s rugby, with three Tests scheduled against the formidable Black Ferns, although the full itinerary is yet to be finalized.