The question of whether the British and Irish Lions will stage a tour of France after the 2029 campaign has begun to surface, and centre‑piece forward Maro Itoje has hinted that there is indeed "scope" for such a fixture in the future. According to recent reports, the Lions could line up a match against the French national side – Les Bleus – for the first time in almost four decades as part of the preparations for the 2029 New Zealand tour. Moreover, the governing bodies are reportedly weighing the feasibility of extending the Lions’ itinerary to include not only France but also destinations in the Americas and Japan. Historically, the Lions have adhered to a strict four‑year rotation, alternating between New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
This pattern has been in place for 37 years, dating back to 1989 when Australia was added as a separate tour for the first time. The new ideas are being examined under the banner of the "Beyond29" project, a strategic initiative aimed at modernising the Lions’ brand and expanding its global footprint, as reported by The Telegraph. The proposal seeks to retain the core tradition of the tri‑nation tours while also exploring fresh opportunities that could invigorate the competition and attract new audiences.
Maro Itoje, a Saracens stalwart who captained the Lions during their 2025 Australian tour, expressed openness to the notion of a French excursion. Speaking to Sky Sports News, he reflected on his own upbringing watching the Lions battle the traditional powerhouses of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. "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," he said. "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 went on to stress that any evolution of the Lions’ schedule must balance innovation with respect for the historic core of the team.
"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," he added. This comment hints at a flexible approach: a standalone match in France could serve as a high‑profile warm‑up before the Lions head to the usual trio of southern hemisphere giants, or a full tour could become a regular fixture in the post‑2029 calendar. Beyond the talk of new venues, Itoje also used the platform to reaffirm his confidence in England head coach Steve Borthwick, despite England’s disappointing performance in the most recent Six Nations.
England finished fifth after a string of four defeats, including an unprecedented loss to Italy, which marked the first time the England side had been beaten by the Italians in an international match. Nonetheless, Itoje remained optimistic about Borthwick’s ability to steer the team back to form. "We believe in what we're doing," the England captain told Sky Sports at a Football Black List event. "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." The RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has indicated that Borthwick will be handed the summer tour fixtures for the inaugural Nations Championship, with the aim of reviving England’s fortunes. If Borthwick can deliver respectable results against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in July, he will be positioned to see his contract through to its conclusion after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Itoje acknowledged that England entered the Six Nations on the back of an 11‑test winning streak, yet he believes the coaching staff can reverse the recent slide.
"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," he said.
"It's just about us learning the lessons and moving forward." The prospect of a Lions tour to France fits within a broader conversation about the future of the franchise. As rugby unions worldwide seek to grow the sport’s commercial appeal, adding new destinations could unlock fresh revenue streams, broaden fan engagement, and provide players with diverse competitive experiences.
However, any changes would need to be carefully calibrated to preserve the unique identity of the Lions, a side that has traditionally been defined by its tri‑nation heritage and the mythic allure of touring the southern hemisphere’s rugby heartlands. In summary, while no official schedule has been announced, the combination of Maro Itoje’s public remarks, the "Beyond29" strategic framework, and ongoing discussions within the Lions’ management suggests that a French fixture – whether a single test or a full tour – is a genuine possibility for the post‑2029 era.
Fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely as the governing bodies weigh tradition against innovation, and as the Lions continue to evolve in a rapidly changing sporting landscape.