The British and Irish Lions have expressed their support for the unions’ warnings against players joining the R360 league, announcing their exclusion from future Lions tours.
This stance arises in response to the league proposal, led by former England international Mike Tindall, which has sparked interest among several England players.
In October, Ellie Kildunne, former World Player of the Year, expressed her openness to “anything” ahead of the league’s launch in 2026.
The Six Nations unions, with the exception of Wales, along with New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, had already warned players about participating in this independent league. The Lions have joined this warning.
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“This is the first women’s Lions tour, a historic moment for women’s rugby and we want it to be the best possible. With the tour just over a year and a half away, we believe it’s important that the players who may be selected play in established leagues that provide certainty about the schedule and the game program.” “The British & Irish Lions will continue to work in collaboration with their unions to support the growth of our game at all levels, ensure alignment with international and national schedules, and prioritize the well-being of the players.”“The British & Irish Lions fully support the stance of our constituent unions regarding the proposed competition and will advise that any player who decides to participate in R360 will not be eligible to be selected for the 2027 tour to New Zealand.
British & Irish Lions
