Lions Bar R360 Players from 2027 Women's Tour

The British and Irish Lions announced Wednesday that any player participating in the proposed R360 franchise league will be ineligible for selection to their inaugural women's tour of New Zealand in 2027. The decision aligns with stances taken by several national rugby unions and underscores efforts to protect the integrity of established international competitions amid the rebel league's planned 2026 launch.

The R360 league, backed by former England international Mike Tindall, envisions eight men's teams and four women's teams competing in global events across various cities. Proponents aim to attract top talent with franchise contracts, but the project has faced opposition from rugby's governing bodies. Last month, eight national unions, including those of England, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, France, and Italy, issued a joint statement declaring that male and female players joining R360 would be barred from international selection for their countries.

The Lions, representing players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, fully endorsed this position in a statement released during preparations for the historic women's tour. "The British and...