British & Irish Lions WOMEN’S team to tour South Africa? It could happen!

The British & Irish Lions have set up a feasibility group led by former Wales star Ieuan Evans to explore the possibility of setting up a women’s team.

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British & Irish Lions tours bring together the best male players from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland to face New Zealand, Australia and South Africa every four years but there is no women’s equivalent.

Former Wales winger Evans, a veteran of three British & Irish Lions tours, will chair a 13-strong steering group including rugby administrators, business leaders, coaches and players.

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Evans said the women’s game was experiencing “unprecedented growth around the world”.

“A women’s Lions team is a big opportunity for the women’s game, and I am looking forward to working with the steering group to assess its viability,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

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British & Irish Lions managing director Ben Calveley said: “A women’s Lions team is a huge opportunity, but there are a number of challenges to consider when looking to create a successful women’s set-up.

“Financial viability, suitable opposition and appropriate scheduling in the women’s rugby calendar will need rigorous analysis, research and careful consideration.”

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WOMEN’S BRITISH & IRISH LIONS STEERING GROUP

Ieuan Evans (chairperson) – Ex-British and Irish Lions and current Lions board member
Ben Calveley – Managing director, the Lions
Susie Logan – Group chief marketing officer, Royal London
Joanna Manning-Cooper – Group director of corporate affairs, Sky
Max Taylor – Consumer director, Vodafone
Simon Rowe – Head of global sports marketing, Canterbury
Sue Day MBE – Chief operating and financial officer, RFU and RFU board, Rugby Football Union
Anthony Eddy – Director of sevens and women’s Rugby, Irish Rugby Football Union
Gemma Fay – Head of girls and women’s strategy, Scottish Rugby
Hannah John – Women’s high-performance lead (Acting), Welsh Rugby Union
Nicky Ponsford – Women’s high-performance manager, World Rugby
Shaunagh Brown – Senior player, Harlequins and England
Niamh Briggs – Senior player, Munster and Ireland, club coach and police officer

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