The question of whether the British and Irish Lions will venture to France for a series of matches after the 2029 campaign has been raised by star lock Maro Itoje, who believes there is "scope" for such fixtures in the future. The conversation has gained momentum after reports surfaced indicating that the Lions could be planning to play against the French national side for the first time in almost four decades as a prelude to the 2029 tour of New Zealand. In addition to a possible French encounter, the governing bodies are reportedly weighing the feasibility of extending the traditional tour rotation to include stops in the Americas and Japan, broadening the Lions' geographic footprint.
Historically, the Lions have adhered to a strict four‑year rotation that alternates between New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. This schedule has been in place for 37 years, dating back to 1989 when the tour of Australia was introduced as a standalone venture.
The rotation has provided a reliable structure for planning, but it also limits the variety of opposition and cultural experiences the composite team can enjoy. As part of the newly announced "Beyond29" project, senior officials are actively exploring whether the Lions could break from convention and incorporate new destinations without compromising the core identity that has defined the team for over a century.
Maro Itoje, a key figure at Saracens and a former Lions captain on the 2025 Australian tour, expressed an openness to the idea of a French leg in future schedules. Speaking to Sky Sports News, he reflected on his upbringing watching the Lions take on the traditional powerhouses of the Southern Hemisphere: "One of the great things about the Lions is its tradition and I grew up watching the Lions play South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
They're all great tours and I think the Lions is expanding and I think there's probably scope for the Lions to play games against France and probably different regions of the world." Itoje emphasized that any evolution should retain the essence of the Lions while embracing new opportunities: "But I think with evolution, it's about exploring new opportunities, whilst remaining true to its traditional core so who knows? Maybe a full‑blown tour to France might be a good thing or maybe just a one‑off game before they go and play the traditional three nations." His comments highlight a willingness among players to test the waters with a single high‑profile match against Les Bleus, as well as the possibility of a more extensive itinerary that could feature a series of fixtures across Europe.
Beyond the speculative tour plans, Itoje also used the platform to voice his confidence in England head coach Steve Borthwick, despite a disappointing Six Nations campaign that saw England finish fifth after a string of defeats, including a historic loss to Italy. The RFU's chief executive Bill Sweeney indicated that Borthwick will be given the chance to shape the summer tour schedule for the inaugural Nations Championship, with the expectation that a strong performance against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in July could secure his contract through the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Acknowledging the team's under‑performance, Itoje remained optimistic about the future: "We believe in what we're doing.
Steve is a great coach – Wiggy, Kev, Joe, Lee – all great coaches. We just need to gel together as a team, learn the lessons and move positively forward.
We weren't as successful as we wanted to be, but how I felt at the beginning of the tournament doesn't change now. I have a lot of faith, a lot of belief in this England team, and I think this England team is going to go on to do special things. It's just about us learning the lessons and moving forward." His remarks underscore a broader theme: the Lions and the England side alike are at a crossroads where tradition meets innovation, and the willingness to adapt could shape the next decade of international rugby. If a French encounter does materialise, it would mark a significant milestone for the Lions, offering fans a fresh narrative and providing players with a unique challenge against a northern hemisphere opponent known for its tactical acumen and physicality.
Whether the fixture would be a solitary test or the opening act of a more expansive European tour remains uncertain, but the very discussion signals a potential shift in how the Lions envision their future beyond the established rotation. In summary, while the traditional three‑nation rotation has served the Lions well for nearly four decades, voices like Itoje's suggest that the organization is open to experimenting with new locales such as France, the Americas and Japan. The "Beyond29" initiative may well pave the way for a more diverse and globally resonant schedule, provided it respects the heritage that makes the Lions a unique institution in the rugby world. The upcoming years will reveal whether these ideas translate into concrete plans, but the appetite for change appears to be growing among players, coaches and administrators alike.