Exactly one year from today, the Lions Women will run out for their first match on their inaugural Tour in New Zealand at Semenoff Park in Whangārei.
The Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series will see the team take on the Black Ferns in three Tests, as well as two further Tour matches.
The historic first Test will take place in Auckland, at Go Media Stadium, a week after that opening fixture against the Black Ferns XV in Whangārei on September 4. The Lions Women will then head to Hamilton for a midweek clash with the Invitational XV before the second Test against the Black Ferns at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
The final fixture, on September 25, will be at the brand new One NZ Stadium in Christchurch, the perfect setting for the finale of the inaugural Lions Women Tour.
Leading the Lions Women will be Jo Yapp, appointed Head Coach in June, a landmark moment on the journey to this breakthrough event.
The former Red Roses scrum-half, who most recently coached the Wallaroos at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, is only too aware of the magnitude of the appointment.
She said: “To lead the first-ever British & Irish Lions Women’s Team is an incredible honour and something I’m immensely proud of.
"The Lions represents the very best of our sport, and this Tour to New Zealand is an opportunity to create something truly special and help shape the future of women’s rugby for years to come.
“I know from experience how challenging it is to face the Black Ferns on home soil, but that challenge is exactly what makes this Tour so exciting.”
Register for the Howden Lions Women's Series 2027
With just a year to go until it all kicks off, the clock is ticking for those looking to stake their claim for a place on the Tour, with the Red Roses having impressed in claiming the Grand Slam in the Women’s Six Nations.
Ireland finished third in that competition, winning all three of their home matches with a bonus point, while Scotland and Wales were fifth and sixth respectively.
Each of the home nations will be in action this September in the 2026 WXV Global Series, with England and Scotland both hosting the Black Ferns on successive weekends.
They will also face World Cup finalists Canada, while Ireland and Wales have intriguing match-ups at home before the former tour South Africa and the latter Japan in October.
Be part of history, purchase ticket packages for the inaugural Women's Tour.
