The British and Irish Lions Women will etch their names into rugby history when they take on France at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on 27 August 2026, in a landmark encounter that represents the first women’s fixture ever played by the Lions on home soil.
This momentous clash serves as crucial preparation ahead of the Lions Women’s 2027 tour of New Zealand, with both teams using the fixture to build momentum and cohesion before the southern hemisphere campaign. The match underscores the accelerating prominence of women’s rugby across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
A Moment That Only Comes Once
Head Coach Jo Yapp captured the magnitude of the occasion, stating: “There are moments in sport that only come around once – and this is one of them.” His words underscore the significance of hosting a Test match at one of the sport’s most iconic venues in the Welsh capital.
Building Towards 2027
The encounter between the Lions and France provides both teams with an invaluable opportunity to test their preparations and strategies ahead of next year’s New Zealand tour. Playing at the Principality Stadium—a ground steeped in rugby tradition—adds considerable prestige to the fixture.
Chair of the Lions Women’s Committee Carol Isherwood’s involvement in the fixture highlights the organizational commitment to ensuring this historic event reaches its full potential. The inclusion of women’s rugby in the Lions framework represents a significant step forward for international rugby union.
This home Test fixture marks a watershed moment for the Lions Women, combining the prestige of representing the four nations with the honour of playing on home soil in front of their own supporters.