Ieuan Evans to chair group exploring the possibility of a women Lions’ team
Former Wales rugby captain Ieuan Evans will chair a 13-person feasibility steering group to explore the possibility of a women’s Lions team.
The main goal of the group will be to ascertain whether a women’s Lions team can be formed in the future, with financial viability, suitable opposition and a viable slot in the playing calendar all hot topics.
The group also includes former Ireland fly-half Niamh Briggs, as well as the IRFU’s director of sevens and women’s rugby Anthony Eddy.
WRU Women’s High-Performance Lead (Acting) Hannah John is also among those on the group.
Ieuan Evans: “Women’s rugby is experiencing unprecedented growth around the world with participation levels continuing to increase every year.
“A Women’s Lions team is a big opportunity for the women’s game, and I am looking forward to working with the Steering Group to assess its viability.”
Lions managing director Ben Calveley said that he believed a women’s Lions team represents a “huge opportunity” for the sport, but acknowledged that there are several key issues that must first be considered.
“We are excited to have put together such a stellar list of individuals who I know will add value to this project,” said Calveley.
“I believe a Women’s Lions team is a huge opportunity, but there are a number of challenges to consider when looking to create a successful women’s set-up.
“Financial viability, suitable opposition and appropriate scheduling in the women’s rugby calendar will all need rigorous analysis, research and careful consideration.
“We are very grateful to be working with a purpose-driven organisation like Royal London on this initiative. Our broader commercial family – including Sky, Vodafone and Canterbury – have also committed to provide their expertise and play an active role in the feasibility analysis.”
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Playing for Wales is and should be the highest accolade for Welsh players. “The Lions” will be England in all but name and the whole world will know that.
As the only true professional team on the planet, England will have the majority of players, and the majority of the say, as they are way out in front of every other nation playing wise. The only thing equal in this proposal will be what the 3 Celtic nations will contribute money wise. With England so far ahead of every body else, (unbeaten in 3 years of 5 nations rugby winning it 16 out of 25 times, world cup winners twice, 5 time runner up) who will this team play and have a meaningful contest, adding the best Celts to… Read more »
Even though I’m not a fan of UK teams in principle, I do recognise that the mens’ Lions team has regularly had a genuinely even spread of players across the four nations and has given us some great rugby over the years. A womens’ team would be completely different and – with the way things are right now – utterly dominated by England in all respects. Let’s just not go there.