I like the concept. Just a lot of hurdles to overcome to make it legitimate and something that can continue to flourish for many years. Finding the best places to tour other than New Zealand is a problem at present. But if they get it right, I think it could be very entertaining and a great way to grow the game.
Absolutely agree with Ellie here. The men’s game is becoming more elite this year, whereas the women’s game is becoming more and more accessible and relatable. I think Ellie‘s idea is really good
BIL played Argentina in Cardiff in '05, are due to play them in Dublin next year. Might have been a couple more spread about way back when, but never a whole tour here.
Nice discussion - it might be worth keeping in mind that your English competition is probably the best in the world regarding the women's game (Maybe the French would disagree - but don't they always!). Here in Australia the recent comp in South Africa that the Wallaroos went to was a first (World Comp excepted). The Domestic competition here is semi-pro at best and one team has just been cut for lack of funding (leaving only four) - so we are not in anything like the position you might be in financially to support touring abroad. (And I'm NOT suggesting you are rolling in funds by the way.) The thing I like about the women's game is that it reminds me of how we used to play rugby decades ago when I was a lad playing for Aldershot & Alton - except you are WAY more professional.
If it's a UK tour, then it should be away from the usual grounds. It would be great to play somewhere like Leeds in England, Cork in Ireland etc. There's a 6 Nations game being played near York in 2025 but that's the first northern game in a good few years. Ellie needs to put her foot down and get them up north!😆
The shirt could have hoops on it, then you can keep the red but also make it different from the mens. Maybe you could have the main colour of the team you're touring to on it.
I'd like to see a women's Lions team comprising the best of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales take on a combined ANZAC team (the best of New Zealand and Australia; maybe the emerging nations of Fiji and Japan as well). Alternatives would be a combined Americas team (the best of USA, Canada and maybe Argentina) or a combined mainland European team (France, Italy, Spain, etc). I don't think a single nation, even New Zealand, would be able to compete against a combined Lions team.
Realistically only 3 teams can compete with the female lions. France NZ and Canada, Canada don’t have the fan base, so France has to be the next destination, close enough for people to travel and they have a giant love of rugby there already.
Agreed. I see only NZ and France as possible hosts. Even if both tours were succrssful, that’s quite limiting. Even the Kiwis don’t turn out in large numbers to watch the Ferns - and that’s what the Ferns say! The French fans would have to learn more about the history of the Lions, I suspect.
@ I went to the England France grand slam game this year in Bordeaux. The French fans will show up with or without full knowledge of the lions history. I like the idea of a home tour vs Canada, I’m not sure what the Irish, Welsh or Scottish fanbase is like. But the red roses have built a huge fan base and I could see a lions team selling out twikenham
My reason for agreeing is that the Men's Lions is regarded as a stronger team than any single home nation whereas a Women's Lions would be thought of as a weaker one.
Good luck to you all
I like the concept. Just a lot of hurdles to overcome to make it legitimate and something that can continue to flourish for many years. Finding the best places to tour other than New Zealand is a problem at present. But if they get it right, I think it could be very entertaining and a great way to grow the game.
You guys are incredible, such an inspiration to all us girl in rugby ❤️
Absolutely agree with Ellie here. The men’s game is becoming more elite this year, whereas the women’s game is becoming more and more accessible and relatable. I think Ellie‘s idea is really good
BIL played Argentina in Cardiff in '05, are due to play them in Dublin next year. Might have been a couple more spread about way back when, but never a whole tour here.
Nice discussion - it might be worth keeping in mind that your English competition is probably the best in the world regarding the women's game (Maybe the French would disagree - but don't they always!). Here in Australia the recent comp in South Africa that the Wallaroos went to was a first (World Comp excepted). The Domestic competition here is semi-pro at best and one team has just been cut for lack of funding (leaving only four) - so we are not in anything like the position you might be in financially to support touring abroad. (And I'm NOT suggesting you are rolling in funds by the way.) The thing I like about the women's game is that it reminds me of how we used to play rugby decades ago when I was a lad playing for Aldershot & Alton - except you are WAY more professional.
Second Lions tour "France". Big support, easy to get to and you can play Italy and Spain as mid week matches.
Great idea !
If it's a UK tour, then it should be away from the usual grounds. It would be great to play somewhere like Leeds in England, Cork in Ireland etc. There's a 6 Nations game being played near York in 2025 but that's the first northern game in a good few years.
Ellie needs to put her foot down and get them up north!😆
The Lions should never play at home, The whole point of them is that they are a touring side.
The shirt could have hoops on it, then you can keep the red but also make it different from the mens. Maybe you could have the main colour of the team you're touring to on it.
I'd like to see a women's Lions team comprising the best of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales take on a combined ANZAC team (the best of New Zealand and Australia; maybe the emerging nations of Fiji and Japan as well). Alternatives would be a combined Americas team (the best of USA, Canada and maybe Argentina) or a combined mainland European team (France, Italy, Spain, etc). I don't think a single nation, even New Zealand, would be able to compete against a combined Lions team.
Realistically only 3 teams can compete with the female lions. France NZ and Canada, Canada don’t have the fan base, so France has to be the next destination, close enough for people to travel and they have a giant love of rugby there already.
Agreed. I see only NZ and France as possible hosts. Even if both tours were succrssful, that’s quite limiting. Even the Kiwis don’t turn out in large numbers to watch the Ferns - and that’s what the Ferns say! The French fans would have to learn more about the history of the Lions, I suspect.
@ I went to the England France grand slam game this year in Bordeaux. The French fans will show up with or without full knowledge of the lions history.
I like the idea of a home tour vs Canada, I’m not sure what the Irish, Welsh or Scottish fanbase is like. But the red roses have built a huge fan base and I could see a lions team selling out twikenham
The Women’s Lions must NOT follow the Men’s , the exclusion of France and Canada would be disastrous and basically nuts.
Women's Lions is all a bit pointless. It has no history or place in the game. Money making opportunity only.
No history? you have to start somewhere
Tosh !
My reason for agreeing is that the Men's Lions is regarded as a stronger team than any single home nation whereas a Women's Lions would be thought of as a weaker one.