France to face British & Irish Lions?
03/26/2025 01:04 AM
The British & Irish Lions could play France before their 2029 tour of New Zealand.
The Times reports that discussions are currently taking place between the parties.
The Lions have only faced France once before – in a non-cap game at the Parc des Princes in October 1989, three months after the tourists’ Test series win in Australia. The Lions won 29-27.
According to The Times, the major stumbling block for the 2029 encounter is the Lions’ demand that France field a full-strength team.
With the match taking place before the end of the Top 14 season and outside of World Rugby’s Test window, the French Rugby Federation would need the Top 14 clubs to agree to release their star players for the fixture.
The Lions would also reportedly like the match to be staged in the USA, which will host the World Cup two years later, while France want it to be played on their home soil.
Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
The post France to face British & Irish Lions? appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
