1
Rugby's biggest union backing calls to introduce women's British and Irish Lions team
England have given their full backing to growing calls for the introduction of a women’s British and Irish Lions tour.
ADVERTISEMENT
The prospect of a squad composed of elite players from the home unions visiting destinations such as New Zealand, France or North America has gained traction in recent weeks.
A new frontier in the women’s game will be opened up through the staging of the first England XV v Barbarians fixture at Twickenham on Sunday and the creation of a Lions team would be another exciting development.
England would contribute the bulk of the players on current form, but head coach Simon Middleton insists Wales, Ireland and Scotland would provide plenty of worthy additions.
“It’s a great idea. It is becoming more feasible, definitely,” Middleton said.
“The Barbarians have taken a fantastic step forward to embrace that side of it and we would like to think the Lions is going to be the next step.
“Test series against France would be fantastic but a Test series against New Zealand would, from the spectacle side and the concept side, be even greater.
“Even though some of the scores in the recent Six Nations made it look like there was a clear disparity between England and some of the other nations, if you drill down into some of those teams there are some fantastic players.
ADVERTISEMENT
“There are lots of individual players across the home nations who could come together. It would be amazing, you would like to think it is the next step.”
England captain Sarah Hunter is equally enthused by the possibility of a women’s Lions team, but insists it would have to forge its own path different to the men’s.
“It would be incredible. Having a women’s version would be that next level to be involved with,” Hunter said.
“We have to be quite smart as to how we go about it in the women’s game. The same teams that the Lions play aren’t necessarily the strongest in the women’s game so how would the format look, who would we play, when would it happen?
ADVERTISEMENT
“But it would be brilliant if we could get to the stage where there is a British and Irish Lions tour in the women’s global calendar.
“It would be really exciting and something for players to strive for, to bring the best players across the four nations would be really exciting.”
PA
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments