Women’s rugby is about to reach a landmark moment, with the British & Irish Lions Women preparing to play their first-ever match. Jo Yapp’s side will face France at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday, 27 August 2027, in a major step towards the team’s inaugural tour of New Zealand.
The fixture, titled the Howden Lions Women’s Cup, will kick off at 7.30pm and give supporters their first chance to see the new Lions team in action on home soil. It will also serve as a high-profile send-off before the squad travels to New Zealand for the first Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series.
A historic night for Irish and British rugby
The creation of the Lions Women’s team is a significant development for rugby across Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. While the men’s Lions have a long-established touring tradition, this will be the first time a women’s side has represented the four unions under the famous Lions banner.
Playing France at Principality Stadium adds further weight to the occasion. The venue has hosted some of rugby’s biggest matches and is expected to provide an unforgettable setting for a night that will be closely followed by supporters across Ireland and the wider rugby community.
For fans tracking Ireland rugby and rugby Ireland developments, the match will offer an early look at players who could feature prominently during the Lions’ historic New Zealand campaign.
France provide a serious opening challenge
The choice of opposition ensures the occasion will also carry genuine sporting importance. France are recognised as one of the leading teams in women’s rugby, combining physical defence with speed and creativity in attack.
Head coach Jo Yapp described France as the ideal opponent before the tour, pointing to the quality and intensity they will bring to Cardiff. The match is therefore more than a celebratory curtain-raiser: it will test the Lions’ organisation, discipline and ability to build combinations in a competitive environment.
The fixture may also provide valuable insight into the coaching group’s approach before the team faces New Zealand’s Black Ferns in the opening game of the tour.
The road to New Zealand
The British & Irish Lions Women’s tour begins on Saturday, 4 September, when the team meets a Black Ferns XV at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei. The first historic Test against New Zealand follows at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Saturday, 11 September.
The remaining schedule includes:
- Tuesday, 14 September: Invitational XV at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
- Saturday, 18 September: Second Test at Wellington
- Saturday, 25 September: Third and final Test at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
The Cardiff meeting with France will be the only home fixture before that demanding schedule begins, making it an important opportunity for the squad to connect with supporters and establish its identity.
Growing momentum behind women’s sport
The announcement arrives during a period of growing interest in women’s sport, including women’s rugby and ladies’ Gaelic games. The Lions’ decision to create a women’s team reflects the rising profile of elite female athletes and the demand for meaningful international competition.
Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney said the occasion would be important for the players, Principality Stadium and women’s sport more broadly. The match is also expected to attract attention from supporters who follow Ireland sports news, international rugby and the continuing expansion of women’s competitions.
British & Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said the organisation wanted to create a memorable spectacle both on and off the pitch. That ambition will be tested by the scale of the venue, the quality of the opposition and the significance of the first Lions Women’s appearance.
Tickets and supporter information
Tickets for the Howden Lions Women’s Cup are available from £20 for adults and £10 for children. A group offer is also available for purchases of 10 or more adult tickets.
Supporters buying during the first 48 hours will have the opportunity to win a hospitality upgrade for two people. With affordable pricing and a historic fixture on offer, the match is likely to appeal to families, clubs and rugby supporters planning a trip to Cardiff.
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What happens next?
The Cardiff fixture will be the first meaningful measure of how quickly the Lions Women can develop as a team. France will provide a demanding examination, while the New Zealand tour will offer the ultimate test through three historic matches against the Black Ferns.
For supporters, the next date to watch is 27 August 2027, when the British & Irish Lions Women will walk onto the field for the first time and begin a new chapter in rugby history.
Article/Image Courtesy: Irish Rugby
