British & Irish Lions set to introduce women's team

When questioned about the subject, managing director Ben Calveley said: “Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing?

“If you look at women’s sport generally – and women’s rugby is no different – it’s going from strength to strength.

“We had a wonderful Women’s World Cup in Ireland recently and I’m sure the next edition will be similarly fantastic. Then there’s the inclusion in the Olympics of sevens.

“Who doesn’t want to be part of that? It’s in the when not if category.”

Wales winger Jasmine Joyce also backed the idea, saying to the BBC: “If the men can do it, then why can’t the women?

"It’s very similar to the Barbarians, although obviously it’s just the four countries.”