France chosen as the Lions Women’s first ever opponents

The Lions Women are expected to be mostly English, and France have lost their last 14 games against England since 2020.

The Lions Women, officially created in 2024, will bring together the best players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, under head coach Jo Yapp, a former Red Roses captain. The match will be played at the Principality Stadium, before the squad leaves for New Zealand and three Tests against the Black Ferns in September.

England, the real obstacle

In our data, since 2020 France have won all their games against Wales (7 out of 7) and Ireland (7 out of 7), and are unbeaten against Scotland (5 wins, 1 draw). But they have lost all 14 meetings with England, including the 2025 World Cup semi-final (17-35) and the last Six Nations game (28-43, on 17 May). The Red Roses are expected to provide the bulk of the Lions squad.

There are moments in sport that only come around once – and this is one of them.

Jo Yapp, Lions Women head coach | British & Irish Lions statement

New Zealand before Cardiff

Ranked fourth in the world, François Ratier’s France first face the Black Ferns in New Zealand this autumn, on 17, 24 and 31 October, to end their WXV season.