Hall of Famer Isherwood appointed inaugural chair of the new Lions Women’s Committee

Carol Isherwood has been appointed Chair of British & Lions Women's Committee. Pic: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

The British & Irish Lions have appointed World Rugby Hall of Famer Carol Isherwood as the inaugural chair of the new Lions Women’s Committee ahead of the historic first tour to New Zealand in 2027.

Isherwood has been a leading figure in women’s rugby for decades, inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2014 having become the global governing body’s first female member of its Rugby Committee five years previously.

She will oversee the first Lions women’s tour in two years and also serve on the board of the British & Irish Lions.

“This is a hugely significant appointment for The British & Irish Lions ahead of our inaugural Lions Women’s Tour of New Zealand in 2027,” Lions chair Ieuan Evans said.

“Supporting the growth of the women’s game is a key strategic priority for the organisation and we are now writing yet more exciting chapters of Lions history, of which Carol becomes a key part following the Royal London feasibility study.

“Carol has been a leading figure in women’s rugby on and off the pitch - as a player, coach, and administrator and her unique insight into the game will help guide us as we continue to build on the Lions legacy.” 

A founding member of the first Women’s Rugby Football Union, Isherwood captained the original Great Britain and England women’s sides in the mid-1980s and coached her country at the 1994 Women’s World Cup.

Isherwood described the Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand as “another opportunity to showcase the women’s game” and said: “I am looking forward to contributing in a meaningful way to make the inaugural Lions Women’s Tour in New Zealand a success and how we can all work together to inspire and drive the continued growth of women’s rugby.”