Snowsill: Allianz Premiership Womens Rugby stars forging the way for inaugural Lions squad

Snowsill: Allianz Premiership Womens Rugby stars forging the way for inaugural Lions squad

Former Bristol Bears and Wales fly-half Elinor Snowsill is confident Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby home nation stars will be at forefront of the newly formed British & Irish Lions women’s squad.

It has been announced that the inaugural Lions women’s team will face the Black Ferns for a three-Test series in September 2027 with a merit-based selection process. 

Despite England’s current dominance on the international scene, Snowsill insisted talent on display from the other home nations in Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby proves how competitive the first-ever women’s Lions squad will be. 

“For me you only have to look at the PWR to see that there are Welsh, Scottish and Irish players performing very well,” said the 76-cap international. “You look last year at how many of those girls got Player of the Match for their clubs, in which England players are also playing. 


“I feel very passionately it’s not just going to be a full England side.  

“Just because England as a nation have been funded much sooner than the other nations that doesn’t mean that there are not absolutely brilliant, world class players in Wales, Scotland and Ireland.” 


England trailblazer and broadcaster Danielle ‘Nolli’ Waterman echoed Snowsill’s thoughts as stars such as Scotland’s Fran McGhie and Meryl Smith, and Ireland’s Cliodhna Moloney have all made their mark this season. 

“England have been at number one/two in the world for as long as we have because we have phenomenal talent,” said Waterman. “But so many Welsh, Scottish and Irish players are playing in the PWR now alongside those England players and absolutely upping the standard.  

“When they play within the international scene, we saw in the recent tours, results didn’t go Wales’ way, but they challenged New Zealand and Australia.  

“The opportunity they have in the global calendar to play in WXV, I’m seeing a massive improvement in those teams because they are fully contracted, and they have the opportunity to play at Premiership sides with full-time medics and nutritionists.  

“It makes it all a little bit tastier.” 

The Howden British & Irish Lions Women’s Series will likely follow key men’s traditions such as playing provincial host nation teams in pre-Test fixtures, but the side are also free to forge their own path and create a new legacy. 

“There are certain things you want to retain, certain significant elements of the Lions,” said chairperson of the British & Irish Lions, Ieuan Evans. “But after that women’s Lions ploughs its own furrow, go wherever they see there’s an opportunity. 

“An elite athlete’s appetite is never sated, you keep wanting more. That’s the addictive and intoxicating nature of playing elite sport and this is the ultimate. The Lions is the pinnacle of a rugby player’s career.

“Where the Lions tour goes next – there’s no fixed rota put in place.  

“As much as we’re incredibly proud of the traditions and the history, there’s always a 'what’s next?'.

“It’s for the women’s Lions to create their own memories, create their own history, create their own milestones and significant moments.  

“Today is a significant milestone, a momentous day, what’s the next one?” 

“An elite athlete’s appetite is never sated, you keep wanting more. That’s the addictive and intoxicating nature of playing elite sport and this is the ultimate. The Lions is the pinnacle of a rugby player’s career.

“Where the Lions tour goes next – there’s no fixed rota put in place.  

“As much as we’re incredibly proud of the traditions and the history, there’s always a 'what’s next?'.

“It’s for the women’s Lions to create their own memories, create their own history, create their own milestones and significant moments.  

“Today is a significant milestone, a momentous day, what’s the next one?”

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