Full Breakdown
Sky Sports to Broadcast Inaugural Women’s British & Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand
By Drooid · · How we work
Tour Announcement and Broadcast Plans
The first women’s British & Irish Lions tour, scheduled for next September, will feature three Tests against New Zealand’s Black Ferns and two additional tour matches. Sky Sports is expected to broadcast all five fixtures live, extending the broadcaster’s long-standing rights to men’s Lions tours that began with the 1997 South Africa series. Discussions are also under way to add the women’s series to Sky’s portfolio, despite the network’s recent reduction in regular rugby union coverage.
Background and Context
The women’s Lions were created in 2024 following a three-year feasibility study that evaluated potential destinations, with New Zealand confirmed that year as the inaugural host. The team’s formation coincided with broader efforts to elevate women’s rugby, including the Red Roses’ regular appearances on BBC Two. However, the BBC limited coverage of the Red Roses’ three home Tests this month to its red-button and online platforms, prompting disappointment from Rugby Football Union (RFU) officials.
Key Figures
- Jo Yapp – Former England captain appointed as the first women’s Lions head coach, chosen over Red Roses coach John Mitchell. Yapp will transition from a part-time role, alongside her duties as head of the RFU’s women’s pathway, to a full-time position at the start of next year.
- John Mitchell – Current coach of the England women’s national team (the Red Roses), passed over for the Lions role.
Impact and Reactions
Sky’s willingness to bid for the women’s tour rights is viewed as a “timely fillip” for the sport, offering broader exposure than the limited BBC coverage. RFU officials have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the BBC’s decision, noting that the world champions’ 48-15 victory over Australia was shown on a secondary channel while the main channel aired the 1962 film *Lawrence of Arabia*. Extending Sky’s contract to include the men’s Lions through the 2029 series, also in New Zealand, underscores the broadcaster’s continued association with Lions rugby while potentially strengthening the profile of the women’s game.