Lions Women to Face France in Historic Cardiff Debut 2026

Key Points

• The British & Irish Lions Women’s squad will take part in their very first game against France at Principality Stadium, Cardiff on Friday, 27 August 2027.
• The game is scheduled to start at 19:30 BST and is going to be part of the Howden Lions Women’s Cup.
• The game will mark the only announced home game for the squad before their debut tour to New Zealand in 2027.
• Following the game in Wales, Jo Yapp’s squad is set to tour New Zealand in September 2027 where they will play three Test games against the Black Ferns.
• The tickets will go on sale from 17:00 on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.
• France, who are ranked fourth in the world, will be the visitors in the match at Principality Stadium.
• It will be the third instance of a Lions squad playing in Britain after the men’s team in 2021 at Murrayfield and in 2025 at Dublin.
• The stadium in Cardiff has a capacity of 74,000.

Wales (Wales Times) October 14, 2026 — The British & Irish Lions Women will make rugby history when they face France at uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday, 27 August 2027, in the first match ever played by a Lions Women’s team.

As announced by the British & Irish Lions, the fixture will be played as the Howden Lions Women’s Cup and will give supporters their first chance to see head coach Jo Yapp’s squad on home soil. The match will also serve as a send-off before the team departs for its inaugural tour of New Zealand in 2027.

The Lions confirmed that tickets for the Cardiff fixture will go on sale at 17:00 on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30.

When Will Lions Women Play France?

The British & Irish Lions Women will play France on Friday, 27 August 2027, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The match will begin at 19:30 BST.

The announcement was made by the Lions on 13 October 2026 and widely reported on 14 October. The governing body described the game as the first-ever match played by a Lions Women’s team.

The fixture will precede the Lions Women’s first tour, during which they are scheduled to face New Zealand’s Black Ferns in a three-Test series in September 2027.

Why Is the France Match Historic?

The Cardiff match is historic because it will be the first time a British & Irish Lions Women’s team takes the field in a recognised international fixture. As reported by Sky Sports, the match against France will be the side’s first-ever game before it heads on its inaugural tour to New Zealand.

Planet Rugby reported that the fixture will also be only the third time a Lions team has played on British soil. The men’s team previously played at Murrayfield in 2021 and in Dublin in 2025.

The Lions Women’s squad will bring together players from England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. City AM reported that the touring team is made up of players from the Home Nations and the Republic of Ireland.

What Did Jo Yapp Say?

Lions Women head coach Jo Yapp said the occasion would be a singular moment for the team and its supporters.

As quoted by the British & Irish Lions, Yapp said:

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

She added: “For our British & Irish Lions Women’s team to step onto the field for the first time, on home soil and in front of our fans, is going to be incredibly special.”

Yapp’s comments were also carried by the Associated Press, Yahoo Sports, Flashscore and SuperSport in their coverage of the announcement.

What Is the Howden Lions Women’s Cup?

The Cardiff fixture will be contested for the Howden Lions Women’s Cup. The Lions said the competition will provide fans with their first opportunity to watch Yapp’s team in action at home and give the players a memorable send-off before New Zealand.

Howden is also attached to the inaugural Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series, the name given to the tour series in New Zealand.

The Lions’ official announcement did not disclose ticket prices, squad details or broadcast arrangements for the Cardiff match.

How Significant Is the Cardiff Venue?

Principality Stadium is one of rugby’s most prominent venues and has an official capacity of 74,000. City AM reported that the first women’s Lions team will aim to sell out the stadium for the historic fixture.

Abi Tierney, the chief executive of Welsh rugby, welcomed the decision to stage the match in Cardiff. As reported by City AM, Tierney said: “Being able to welcome the inaugural Lions Women’s team to Cardiff for their home game at Principality Stadium, is something we are incredibly proud of.”

The venue choice places the first women’s Lions match in Wales, adding to the symbolic importance of a team representing England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Who Are France in Women’s Rugby?

France will arrive in Cardiff as one of the leading teams in women’s international rugby. Yahoo Sports reported that France are ranked fourth in the world.

Six Nations Rugby described France as a nation that has helped shape some of the most memorable stories in Guinness Women’s Six Nations history. The organisation confirmed that France will be the opponents for the Lions Women’s inaugural fixture.

The match will therefore give the newly formed Lions Women’s side an immediate test against an established international opponent before its tour.

What Happens After the Cardiff Match?

After facing France, the Lions Women will travel to New Zealand for their first tour. The Associated Press reported that the squad will make a historic trip to New Zealand for a three-Test series.

Yahoo Sports reported that the Cardiff game will take place before Jo Yapp’s touring party departs for three Tests with the Black Ferns in September.

The Lions have not announced the dates, venues or ticketing details for the New Zealand Tests in the material covered by the reports above.

Background of the Development

The British & Irish Lions have historically operated as a combined men’s touring team drawn from the four rugby unions of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The creation of a women’s Lions team marks a major expansion of that concept into the women’s international game.

The Cardiff fixture has been positioned by the Lions as both a competitive international and a celebration of the team’s formation. The governing body said the Howden Lions Women’s Cup will give supporters a first opportunity to see the side on home soil before it embarks on its inaugural New Zealand tour.

The announcement also reflects the growing commercial and sporting profile of women’s rugby. The involvement of Howden as a named partner, the use of Principality Stadium and the planned three-Test series against New Zealand indicate a structured programme rather than a one-off exhibition match.

Prediction: What It Means for Rugby Fans

For rugby supporters in Britain and Ireland, the fixture is likely to become one of the most sought-after women’s rugby events of 2027. The chance to see the first Lions Women’s team in a major stadium, against a top-tier French side, should attract strong interest from fans across the four nations.

For players, the match offers a high-profile platform to establish the identity of the first Lions Women’s squad. A strong performance against France could shape expectations before the team faces the Black Ferns in New Zealand.

For women’s rugby more broadly, the development may increase visibility, ticket demand and media attention. If Principality Stadium approaches capacity, the occasion could demonstrate the commercial potential of a combined women’s Lions team and strengthen the case for future home fixtures and tours.