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The Shaunagh Brown reaction to possible B&I Lions women's tour

By PA
(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Former England international Shaunagh Brown has hailed the possibility of a British and Irish Lions women’s tour joining a sport where the potential is limitless. Brown believes that findings of a Lions feasibility study have provided a massive green light for women’s rugby to keep growing on the world stage.

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A 13-strong steering group, chaired by former Lions and Wales wing Ieuan Evans, included the likes of Brown, Rugby Football Union chief operating and financial officer Sue Day, Irish Rugby Union performance director David Nucifora, plus World Rugby’s high performance manager Nicky Ponsford.

The prospect of an inaugural Lions women’s tour now remains on track after the study delivered a positive initial outcome. It investigated key aspects of creating a Lions women’s tour, exploring rugby, brand, commercial, financial, spectator, logistical and scheduling considerations.

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The Lions said work would now continue on areas such as the potential structure and timing of a tour before any final decision was made. “Why wouldn’t we want a Lions tour for women?” Brown told the PA news agency. “In the men’s game, it is the ultimate honour. For me, as an elite athlete, you always want more. We have been given this massive green light and there is something to aim for.

“All of the home unions have professional playing contracts, to an extent. What they look like is a different question, but it is the start. Every project has to start somewhere. If and when a Lions women’s tour happens, all players have strong potential of being professional. We will be a force to be reckoned with.”

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Brown feels that a Lions women’s tour would need to be a stand-alone event, rather than in tandem with the men, whose next trip is to Australia in 2025. “The way the Six Nations used to be run, everything was on the back of and around the men’s tournament,” she added. “Then covid happened and it was almost by accident that we now have our own separate Six Nations window in April and it works so well.

“For me, a separate women’s tour would be the way forward, as opposed to going off the back of the men. We have our own calendar and I think it is about what works for us. I feel like it [a Lions tour] is going to happen. It’s exciting for the whole sport, whether it happens tomorrow or in 10 years’ time.”

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Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said: “It is extremely positive that a British and Irish Lions women’s tour is possible in the future. While there is much to be considered, we are committed to taking the findings of this feasibility study and working closely with our unions, as well as other stakeholders in the coming months.”

Brown won 30 England caps and retired from the Test arena last year after the 34-31 World Cup final defeat against New Zealand in Auckland, which was watched by a crowd of 42,500 at Eden Park. England, meanwhile, will play their forthcoming Six Nations home games at Kingston Park, Newcastle and Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton, before a potential title decider against France at Twickenham on April 29.

“We know how big women’s football is, but what is to say that we can’t grow at the same rate in rugby? The potential is limitless,” Brown said. “The people around the game making decisions have similar ambitions. We want people who have our ambition as players to be in charge of our game.

“What is exciting is how far we can go. It is a good time to be involved and keep being involved and it is about embracing new people, new ideas. “The train is moving, and it is hopefully not slowing down any time soon.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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