Reports Confirm British & Irish Lions Set for Epic Showdown with France
03/26/2025 02:33 AM
The British and Irish Lions are on the brink of a mouth-watering showdown with France, marking their first encounter in 40 years.
According to The Telegraph, discussions between Lions bosses and the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) are heating up, with a blockbuster fixture being lined up ahead of their upcoming tours to New Zealand.
The Lions, one of rugby's most prestigious and iconic touring sides, unite the best talent from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales every four years to take on southern hemisphere giants.
Their legacy stretches back to 1888 when they embarked on their maiden tour to Australia and New Zealand. Over the decades, they've delivered unforgettable moments — from the dramatic 1971 series win over New Zealand to the heroic 1997 triumph in South Africa.
Join RUCK's Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
Double Trouble: 2027 and 2029 Warm-Ups Incoming
The Lions are looking to use this potential clash with France as a high-stakes warm-up before their next two tours. Just like the upcoming 2025 tour to Australia — where the Lions will face Argentina in Dublin before heading Down Under — the plan is to give both the men's and women's sides a proper test before their main events.
The 2027 women's tour will be groundbreaking, as it marks the first-ever British and Irish Lions tour for the women's side. Meanwhile, the 2029 men's tour to New Zealand promises to be massive as the Lions look to settle unfinished business after their 2017 series ended in a nail-biting 1-1 draw.
Remember Paris? Lions Edged France in 1989
While Lions v France might feel like uncharted territory, it's not entirely new. In 1989, the Lions clashed with Les Bleus in Paris as part of the French Revolution's bicentennial celebrations. Led by Rob Andrew, the Lions edged a thriller 29-27. Now, four decades later, the prospect of another epic showdown is tantalising.
Lions Eye Warm-Up Against Les Bleus Before Kiwi Mission
If the fixture gets the green light, the Lions would lock horns with France before heading to New Zealand in 2029. Given France's current status as one of the world's best teams, this would be a huge litmus test for the Lions ahead of their battle with the All Blacks.
For the women's side, a clash with France in 2027 would be the perfect launchpad for their inaugural tour, giving them a serious test before taking on the best in New Zealand. The Lions want their squads to be battle-hardened, and what better way to prepare than a showdown with one of Europe's top sides?
French Clubs Could Hold the Keys
However, it's not all plain sailing. The Lions and FFR will need to navigate a potential roadblock — the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), the governing body of France's clubs. Since the proposed fixture would likely fall outside World Rugby's regulation-nine window, which only begins in July, convincing the LNR to release their stars could be a major challenge.
With the Top 14 final typically played in late June, a potential clash with this fixture could mean France fielding a squad without its biggest names. This year, France's men's side will tour New Zealand without any players involved in the Top 14 final on June 28, with Les Bleus facing the All Blacks in the first Test a week later, on July 5. The Lions might have to follow a similar path to make this fixture a reality.
Join the RUCK's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
- Gabby Logan's son set for first senior international call-up this summer
- England fly-half Fin Smith linked with shock Northampton Saints exit
- Two England women's players dated each other, they met at school
- Leicester Tigers Batter Northampton Saints 33-0: Player Ratings
15 England Stars Make Our Lions Squad for Australia Tour
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour just around the corner, speculation is ramping up about who will get the nod for the three-Test series against Australia.
Andy Farrell will announce his squad live from the O2 Arena in London on May 8th, 2025, and we've taken a stab at selecting the best possible 36-man squad for the tour.
OUR 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD
Here's a breakdown of who makes the cut, with 15 England stars included in our strongest lineup.
Props
Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Ellis Genge (England) – The ‘Baby Rhino’ brings his trademark aggression and scrummaging power.
Pierre Schoemann (Scotland)
Kyle Sinckler (England) – A veteran of the 2021 tour, Sinckler's experience will be vital.
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Will Stuart (England) – The powerful tighthead earns his spot after a consistent season.
Hookers
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – The standout Irish hooker is almost a certainty.
Dewi Lake (Wales)
Jamie George (England) – Lions experience and leadership make him a vital inclusion.
Locks
Maro Itoje (England) – One of the first names on the team sheet.
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – The young enforcer could be a game-changer.
Ollie Chessum (England) – A rising star, providing dynamism and lineout excellence.
Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
George Martin (England) – Physicality and work rate give him the edge.
Back Row
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – World-class breakdown presence.
Ben Curry (England) – Edges into contention with his relentless tackling and breakdown work.
Tom Curry (England) – A Lions veteran whose pedigree speaks for itself.
Caelan Doris (Ireland) – A guaranteed starter.
Ben Earl (England) – One of the most explosive players in the Premiership this season.
Jack Willis (England) – His form for Toulouse has been outstanding.
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
The post Reports Confirm British & Irish Lions Set for Epic Showdown with France appeared first on Ruck.
