"Amazing" - Lions to play France in first match of its kind

, plans are ramping up behind the scenes for the Lions to face Les Bleus as a curtain-raiser to the women’s 2027 and men’s 2029 tours to New Zealand.

The fixture would mirror this year’s men’s warm-up Test against Argentina in Dublin before heading Down Under.

Discussions between the Lions and the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) have reportedly gathered pace, with French officials now seriously exploring the idea as part of their international calendar.

If talks stay on track, the main hurdle will be player availability. The proposed France clash would likely fall outside World Rugby’s regulation-nine window, meaning the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) – which governs France’s Top 14 and Pro D2 clubs – would need to sign off on releasing players.

If agreed, the fixture would mark a landmark moment for both the men's and women's games, as the Lions look to make history on and off the pitch.

Whether it’s rust, nerves, or just being outplayed, these five Lions have done themselves no favours – and could be heading home with regret.

All eyes were on Fin Smith to make a statement with Owen Farrell still looming over the fly-half conversation. But instead of stepping up, he produced a performance that did little to settle nerves.

Smith failed to make a major impression in the tour opener against Argentina, looking tentative and overly conservative in key moments.

Things didn’t improve much in his second outing against the Waratahs, where he tried to force the issue in the second half—only for the mistakes to pile up and the game to slip further away from him.

? Test chances: Fading fast. He’s no longer a clear bench option, and others are circling.

After being made to wait for his chance, Keenan finally got his shot against the Waratahs—and it couldn’t have gone much worse.

He opened with a dropped ball under little pressure and followed it with a missed tackle that directly led to a try. Normally so composed and reliable, Keenan looked rattled from the off and never quite found his rhythm or influence on the game.

? Test chances: This was a golden opportunity to nail down a claim. He let it slip through his fingers—literally.

The Lions scrum was meant to be a weapon—but against the Force, it was anything but. Schoeman struggled to hold his ground and was part of a front row that got manhandled far too often.

With Ellis Genge putting in a dominant shift last week, Schoeman’s underwhelming showing couldn’t have come at a worse time. The raw power and aggression he’s known for were notably absent.

? Test chances: He’s still in the mix, but firmly behind the frontrunners now.

This tour was supposed to be Curry’s return to dominance, but so far he’s looked anything but. Against Argentina in the opener and again versus the Reds, Curry seemed a step behind play.

His trademark defensive tenacity was muted, and while he rallied late on with a few solid tackles, the damage was already done. His lack of synergy with the back row around him was noticeable—and concerning.

? Test chances: Still respected, but form has to match reputation. Right now, it doesn’t.

The big winger has been one of the Lions’ most electric weapons in recent years, but injuries have clearly disrupted his build-up.

He’s looked off the pace, lacking sharpness both with ball in hand and in defensive positioning. Meanwhile, James Lowe has seized every chance to impress. Duhan’s physicality remains a threat, but his edge seems dulled for now.

? Test chances: Slipping away quickly. Needs a statement game—and soon.