Plans for the British and Irish Lions to explore the potential of launching a women’s team have progressed significantly in the last few months.
The men’s team has been touring since 1888 and the growth in the women’s game has led to calls for a female tour.
“We can confirm that we’ve begun initial discussions with the home unions,” said a Lions spokesman in 2020.
And now, Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, have struck a deal to become a principal partner of the women’s Lions programme.
The partnership means Royal London will finance a feasibility study “which will examine whether a Lions women’s team can be formed”.
The investment in research and analysis to potentially grow women’s rugby on British and Irish soil was announced on International Women’s Day.
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Following a number of meetings, it was suggested that a women’s schedule could take place in the USA and Canada.
The women’s game is stronger in North American rather than the traditional tour venues of Australia and South Africa.
It’s thought that the potential tour could be penciled in for 2023 with the Rugby World Cup (womens) being delayed until 2022 this week.
Sky Bet have picked the Lions squad – and HUGE names miss out
We thought it would be interesting to see how the reduced size squad might look based on the favourites to make the tour, according to SKY BET.
BACK-THREE:
- Jonny May (England) – 1/10
- Josh Adams (Wales) – 1/7
- Stuart Hogg (Scotland) – 1/7
- Liam Williams (Wales) – 8/13
- Anthony Watson (England) – 4/7
- Elliot Daly (England) – 5/6
CENTRES:
- Jonathan Davies (Wales) – 4/7
- Manu Tuilagi (England) – 4/6
- Garry Ringrose (Ireland) – 8/13
- Henry Slade (England) – 5/6
