Rugby Union

Lions to ban R360 rebels from women's 2027 NZ tour

By AAP Newswire

Nov 27, 2025

England women's rugby — England's World Cup winners will miss a chance to play for the Lions if they join the R360 league. -AP

The British and Irish Lions have said they will exclude any player who lines up in the proposed rebel franchise R360 league from their women's team's 2027 tour to New Zealand.

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The R360 competition, which aims to launch in 2026, plans to feature eight men's and four women's teams in events hosted across the world.

The Lions said they agreed with the national rugby unions of England and Ireland, who were among the eight unions who announced last month that players who join the R360 league would be ineligible for international selection.

"Any player who decides to participate in R360 will not be eligible for selection for the 2027 tour to New Zealand," the Lions said in a statement.

"This is the first ever Lions women tour, a historic moment for women's rugby and we want it to be the best it can be.

"With the tour just over a year and a half away, we believe it is important that players who may be selected are playing in established leagues that provide certainty on calendar and playing schedule."

The Lions are set to play at least five matches, including three Tests against New Zealand, on the women's tour.

The Lions' men's team will tour New Zealand in 2029.