British & Irish Lions Women to face France in first-ever fixture at Cardiff's Principality Stadium

The British & Irish Lions Women will make their first-ever appearance on 27 August 2027, facing France at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in a landmark moment for the women’s game. Kick-off is set for 19:30, with adult tickets priced at £20 and children’s tickets at £10.

A week after the Cardiff fixture, the Lions travel to New Zealand to face a Black Ferns XV at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei on 4 September. The tour then features two full Tests against the Black Ferns, a match against an Invitational XV, and concludes at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch on 25 September.

Head coach Jo Yapp described the occasion as a once-in-a-generation moment. “There are moments in sport that only come around once – and this is one of them,” she said. “France are the ideal team for an occasion like this. They bring a relentless defence and a real edge in attack. That’s exactly the challenge that we need before heading to New Zealand.”

France represent a formidable opening test. François Ratier’s side are currently ranked fourth in the world and are set to face the Black Ferns in a three-Test series to close out their WXV Global Series 2026 campaign, meaning the Lions will be walking into a fixture against battle-hardened opposition.

British & Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley said the announcement marked a defining chapter in the organisation’s history. “We’re immensely proud to announce our first-ever British & Irish Lions Women’s fixture, in what is a monumental moment in Lions history. France are an outstanding side with a wealth of talent and experience, and they will present a huge test for Jo and her squad.”

Welsh Rugby Union CEO Abi Tierney added that hosting the inaugural fixture at the Principality Stadium carried significance beyond the result. “The establishment of the British & Irish Lions Women’s team is a landmark moment for our game. It promises to be a hugely important occasion for the players, our stadium and for women’s sport as a whole.”

British & Irish Lions Women fixtures 2027

• British & Irish Lions v France — Friday 27 August, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
• Black Ferns XV v British & Irish Lions — Saturday 4 September, Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei
• Black Ferns v British & Irish Lions — Saturday 11 September, Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland