British and Irish Lions Women to play France in Cardiff

The British and Irish Lions women's side will play France in Cardiff, a match that marks a first for the team at Test level. It is also their first ever meeting with France.

The fixture is a warm-up before the Lions women's tour of New Zealand. Jo Yapp is the Lions women's head coach.

Fixtures and details for the British and Irish Lions Women tour

The tour opens against a Black Ferns XV in Whangārei on Saturday 4 September 2027. The first of three Tests against the Black Ferns is in Auckland on Saturday 11 September 2027, at Go Media Stadium. The third and final Test is at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday 25 September 2027.

About the opponents

France are ranked fourth in the world, according to BBC Sport, and were semi-finalists at the 2025 Women's World Cup.

Legacy and reaction

Carol Isherwood, chair of the Lions women's committee, said the Cardiff match gives a chance to grow the game and leave a legacy. Jo Yapp said: "There are moments in sport that only come around once - and this is one of them".

The Principality Stadium hosted a record crowd for a Wales women's home game in any sport when a crowd of 21,186 watched England there in 2025.

Key facts

• The Cardiff match is the first Test-level women's game for the Lions women's side.
• The Lions women's tour opens against a Black Ferns XV in Whangārei on Saturday 4 September 2027.
• The first of three Tests against the Black Ferns is at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Saturday 11 September 2027.
• The third and final Test is at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday 25 September 2027.
• Jo Yapp is the Lions women's head coach.

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