British and Irish Lions ramp up plans for a women’s side after announcing partnership with Royal London
- Royal London have become principal partner of the women’s Lions programme
- The partnership will explore the feasibility of setting up a women’s Lions team
- The company also backs the men’s series against South Africa later this year
The British and Irish Lions are to formally investigate the feasibility of creating a women’s side with the backing of an insurance company.
Royal London on Monday became the ‘principal partner’ of the Women’s Lions Programme and is now tasked with funding a study into the possibility of establishing a female equivalent of the most famous team in rugby.
At present only the English players are fully professional, and due to the vast differences in funding and quality of women’s national sides it may only be apt for a Women’s Lions team to play the French or New Zealanders.
Study to take place to explore the feasibility of a women’s British and Irish Lions team
But there is an eagerness among the home unions and Lions to grow the women’s game.
Lions managing director Ben Calveley said: ‘The feasibility study is an important first step in determining whether a women’s Lions team could be established, and we are very grateful to have Royal London’s support.’
Meanwhile, Ireland have added Jacob Stockdale to their Six Nations squad ahead of their match against Scotland on Sunday. The Ulster wing has returned from a knee injury.
The Scots have recalled Exeter lock Sam Skinner as well as Nick Haining and Rufus McLean.