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Carol Isherwood appointed to historic Lions role

Carol Isherwood has been appointed as the first chair of the new Lions Women's Committee. (Credit: British and Irish Lions)

World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Carol Isherwood has been appointed as the first chair of the British and Irish Lions Women’s Committee.

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Isherwood, a founding member and chair of the Women’s Rugby Football Union in 1983, has played a vital role in the growth of female participation over the past four decades.

A Great Britain and England international as a player, she appeared in the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup final in 1991 and three years later was part of the coaching team as her country lifted the trophy for the first time.

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‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

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‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Isherwood became the first woman to be appointed to World Rugby’s Rugby Committee in 2009 and five years later was inducted into the Hall of Fame. More recently, she has worked with the governing body to increase the number of female coaches in elite rugby, through programmes such as the Gallagher High Performance Academy.

Her immediate focus in her new role with the Lions will be to oversee the touring side’s first ever women’s tour, to New Zealand in 2027. Isherwood will also sit on the Lions board.

Isherwood said: “I feel privileged to chair The British and Irish Lions Women’s Committee and join the Lions board at this very exciting time.

“Having worked in the women’s game for more than four decades, alongside experiencing the first-ever Great Britain and England women’s rugby teams, the Lions Women’s team and Tour provide another opportunity to showcase the women’s game.

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“I am looking forward to contributing in a meaningful way to make the inaugural Lions Women’s Tour in New Zealand a success and how we can all work together to inspire and drive the continued growth of women’s rugby.”

Isherwood has also held positions on committees and boards for the Rugby Football Union Women, the Rugby Football Union, the Scottish Rugby Union, World Rugby and the Football Association (FA).

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Ieuan Evans MBE, chair of The British and Irish Lions said: “This a hugely significant appointment for The British and Irish Lions ahead of our inaugural Lions Women’s Tour of New Zealand in 2027.

“Supporting the growth of the women’s game is a key strategic priority for the organisation and we are now writing yet more exciting chapters of Lions history, of which Carol becomes a key part following the Royal London feasibility study.

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“Carol has been a leading figure in women’s rugby on and off the pitch – as a player, coach, and administrator and her unique insight into the game will help guide us as we continue to build on the Lions legacy.”

Ben Calveley, Lions CEO, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Carol as the first chair of the Lions Women’s Committee, following a competitive recruitment process.

“Carol will now oversee the planning of the Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand in 2027. And with less than three years to go, the excitement and anticipation is building amongst players and fans as we build an unforgettable Tour.

“Carol has already played a pivotal role in women’s rugby and she is one of sport’s most-respected and experienced leaders. So her passion and expertise will be invaluable to the Lions in our mission to deliver the ultimate rugby experiences for both players and fans.”

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BC 12 days ago

I wish her every success. A lot has been said of the number of Non-Red Rose players who would be in a Lions team and how good some of the non-English home nations players are. You can look at it player by player and make your selections and you could end up with a nationally diverse team. I would suggest that there is another way of looking at it, who of the other home nations players would get into the Red Roses team? Not many, if any? To put in my pennies worth, I would suggest that these non-English current players would likely be on the plane (35 player squad). Emma Orr, Helen Nelson, Evie Gallagher, Jade Konkel, Dannah O’Brien, Eve Higgins, Stacey Flood, Orla Wafer, Frances McGhie, Alissa Butchers and Keira Bevan. Maybe some others but who would be starters? What concerns me slightly is that the squad could be selected to ensure even representation from all nations and not necessarily what constitutes the best team.

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Chris929 12 days ago

TBH we have had very little detail about the womens lions tour-presumably it will be a 3 test series v NZ but will there be warm up games,mid week games ? we dont know. it may be there are no midweek games,so a smaller squad of 30 may go if thats the case. I cant see many travelling fans besides families going-womens rugby is not at that point yet especially with the mens world cup in australia the following month.The hope is the NZ public turn out for the games(black ferns crowds have been poor since the WC). In terms of representation-theres still 2 years to go and a lot can change. Right now england would deserve to dominate a squad but in 2 years ,who knows? but it must be picked on merit only. we have had mens lions teams where 11/12 starters are from 1 country so theres no problem doing it for the womens. My team right now- Muir,Cokayne,Bern,Aldcroft,Monaghan,Wafer,Callender,Matthews, Bevan, Rowland, Dow,Heard, M Jones,Breach,Kildunne

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JW 1 hour ago
'France may leave top players at home but will still be serious contenders in New Zealand'

The country turned septic on Foster for losing a series to what was arguably the best Irish side in history and one that may not have been ranked number one in the world when they arrived, but were by the time they left.

Imagine how feral the nation will be if Robertson’s All Blacks lose to what is supposedly going to be a French ‘B’ team?

This author proving he has less of an understanding of rugby than the general population.


The country was septic because of how easily they got beat Paul. The country is smart enough to rate the relative level of performances, and if Razors team goes backwards like Fosters the criticism you suggest might come will be fully deserved. If France B perform as good as France A and win by the same margins then those with the criticism the team should be winning every game will also be deserved. But the inference that the public didn’t give Ireland the credit they deserved couldn’t be further from the truth imo.

France have beaten the All Blacks on the last three occasions the two sides have met, and that the former has used 38 players in the process.

France could leave 40 players at home in July and still be a serious contender

And to the vibe of this article, it provides abosolutely zero reason to believe the next 38 best French are going to be as good as these first 38. Paul got one thing right, it’s no joke that France will be leaving behind 40 players.


France have a 45 man squad for 6N (well using Wiki), the team could be made up of these leftovers from the teams not likely to get close to Toulouse and Bordeaux, given that just the third place team is doing commendably well not to be in negative for and against like the rest.

Uini Atonio ——— Prop

Giorgi Beria ——— Prop

Georges-Henri Colombe ———- Prop

Jean-Baptiste Gros ——— Prop

Dany Priso ——— Prop

Rabah Slimani———- Prop

Hugo Auradou ——— Lock

Mickaël Guillard ——— Lock

Matthias Halagahu ——— Lock

Romain Taofifénua ——— Lock

Esteban Abadie ——- Back row

Grégory Alldritt ———- Back row

Paul Boudehent ———- Back row

Oscar Jégou ——— Back row

Nolann Le Garrec ——— Scrum-half

Gaël Fickou ——— Centre

Antoine Frisch ——— Centre

Émilien Gailleton ——— Centre

Noah Nene ——— Centre

Théo Attissogbé ——— Wing

Gaël Dréan ———- Wing

Gabin Villièren —— Wing

Léo Barré ——— Fullback


One wouldn’t think Atonio is going to come (I’d be surprised if Fickou is still not rested or he and Le Garrec aren’t involved in a relegation playoff game) but a few good players there like Leo Barre, Le Garrec, Taofifénua, and that back row, but also a distinct lack of a spine with the 3 best playmakers playing in the Final at home.


What are the possibilities to fill out these missing spots? looking at Opta’s stats hub Serin and Couilloud provide good back up for Le Garrec by fact of having the highest try involvements in the Top14 (along with Michael Ruru). And Serin’s partner Herve looks the most threatening to carry on the teams style with his elusiveness?

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