British and Irish Lions ‘provide clarity to players’ on R360 position ahead of New Zealand tour
A British and Irish Lions ball and flag.
The British & Irish Lions have announced that players joining the breakaway league R360 will be ineligible for their 2027 women’s tour of New Zealand.
That means the Lions have taken a similar position as several unions from major nations who indicated that players joining the rebel competition would be barred from Test selection.
Last month, New Zealand, South Africa, England, France, Australia, Ireland, Scotland and Italy united in their opposition to R360 when they issued a joint statement, warning players that they would not be eligible to play Test rugby if they signed up to the rebel league.
Mike Tindall one of the key players behind R360
This, after it was revealed in June that England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning centre Mike Tindall was one of the key players behind R360, a league which is designed to take the game around the world and make the sport more appealing to a wider audience.
Shortly after it was revealed those major nations would be banning players from Test rugby if they decide to join R360, the Australian Rugby League Commission confirmed that individuals who break contracts to take up offers from the rebel league face a 10-year ban from playing in their competitions, which includes the NRL.
R360’s plans involves 12 franchised teams – eight men’s and four women’s – taking part in a global grand prix-type tournament which will see matches take place in cities such as London, Miami, Tokyo and Lisbon.
The 2027 Lions trip to New Zealand will be the first time the famous touring team will send a women’s team on a tour and their men’s side are set to visit the same country in 2029, after they toured Australia earlier this year.
The Lions have now confirmed their stance regarding R360 and will “provide clarity to players” ahead of the 2027 women’s side’s New Zealand tour.
‘Lions wishes to outline its position on 360 competition’
“As we continue preparations for the inaugural Lions women’s tour in 2027, The British & Irish Lions wishes to outline its position on the proposed R360 competition and provide clarity to players,” a Lions statement read.
“The British & Irish Lions fully support the position of our constituent Unions in relation to the proposed competition and will be advising that any player who decides to participate in R360 will not be eligible for selection for the 2027 Tour to New Zealand.
“This is the first ever Lion’s women tour, a historic moment for women’s rugby and we want it to be the best it can be.
“With the tour just over a year and a half away, we believe it is important that players who may be selected are playing in established leagues that provide certainty on calendar and playing schedule.
“The British & Irish Lions will continue to work collaboratively with its unions to support the growth of our game at all levels, ensure alignment with international and domestic calendars and prioritise player welfare.”
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