Lions women to face France in history-making first game

Men's Lions tours, featuring players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, have taken place since 1888.

The women will travel to New Zealand for a five-match tour that features Tests in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Yapp's side will hope for a send-off in front of a bumper Cardiff crowd.

"It will be a tremendous rugby match and occasion," said Carol Isherwood, chair of the Lions women's committee.

"It's a chance to grow the game and leave a legacy so that we are able to continue with the Lions team by setting the foundations and give everybody the chance to see the women's game at its very best."

A crowd of 21,186 set a record for a Wales women's home game in any sport when watching the Six Nations defeat by England at Principality Stadium in 2025.

"I've been there for some England men's games and the noise is fabulous. It'll be great if it is a sea of red for the Lions and not just Wales," said Isherwood, who captained Great Britain in 1986.

"We've got a fantastic tour in line, and we're starting off with a brilliant occasion in Cardiff.

"We looked at some different options and going abroad, like the men have previously, but the Welsh Rugby Union said that they felt they could do a great job here.

"We have the fantastic stadium, the support for rugby, tradition of the women's game having some important moments in Wales and the fact that we can get thousands under that roof to see the Lions women play.

"The visibility allows girls across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to dream of pulling on that red shirt one day."

It will be the second time that the Lions have faced France after the men won a friendly in Paris in 1989.