One Year Until Historic First Women's Lions Test

The first British and Irish Lions women's team was set to make history one year from now, as they prepared to face six-time world champions New Zealand on September 11, 2027, at Auckland's Go Media Stadium. This match will kick off a three-Test series. Lions chief executive Ben Calveley remarked that the month-long tour, which had been announced in 2024, would mark a "hugely significant" milestone in women's rugby, calling it "something truly special for the women's game."

New Zealand Rugby expressed excitement for the upcoming events, labeling the tour as a "significant moment for rugby globally" and a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand to support the Black Ferns and some of the world’s best players. For the selected athletes to don the famous red jersey, this tour undoubtedly represents the pinnacle of their rugby careers.

As the countdown intensified, BBC Sport reviewed preparations and assessed the tour's potential for success or challenges. The fixture details, including dates, opponents, cities, and venues, were all disclosed earlier in the year. The Lions planned to commence their tour in Whangarei before heading to Auckland for the first Test. Some expressed disappointment that Auckland's iconic Eden Park was not selected, having previously hosted the 2022 Rugby World Cup final. The tour itinerary included:
- September 4: Whangarei, Semenoff Stadium, vs Black Ferns XV
- September 11: Auckland, Go Media Stadium, First Test vs Black Ferns
- September 14: Hamilton, FMG Stadium Waikato, vs Invitational XV
- September 18: Wellington, Sky Stadium, Second Test vs Black Ferns
- September 25: Christchurch, One NZ Stadium, Third Test vs Black Ferns

Jo Yapp was confirmed as the Lions head coach, making history as the first coach for the women’s Lions team. Yapp emphasized her commitment to selecting the best players possible, hinting at a strong representation from England.

However, discussions about staff appointments for Yapp’s backroom team were ongoing and deemed a priority, as decisions would influence the coaching landscape for the home nations ahead of the 2027 Women's Six Nations. Speculation identified potential staff candidates such as Rachel Taylor, Sarah Hunter, and others. The player squad announcement was slated for May following the Six Nations.

Alice Soper, a New Zealand rugby journalist, noted a lack of public awareness about the Lions women's team, suggesting that marketing efforts to promote the tour had been insufficient. With competing sports events, she raised concerns about the visibility of the tour amid the build-up to the men's Rugby World Cup in Australia.

British and Irish Lions marketing projected that more than 124,000 supporters were anticipated to attend the matches in person, with tickets going on sale later this month. However, attendance figures for the Black Ferns' recent matches raised questions about stadium capacity, despite the positive trend showcased by the new One NZ Stadium in Christchurch. The recent Super Rugby Aupiki league had emerged as a fully professional competition, providing greater exposure for women's rugby in New Zealand.

As the Black Ferns prepared to tour the UK for matches against Scotland and England in October, interest in the Lions tour was anticipated to rise, making this time crucial for players and coaches to vie for spots in what would be a historic series.