Lions plan ban on R360 players to stop exodus of Red Roses

The British & Irish Lions are planning to follow the example of the biggest unions by banning players who join R360 in a move designed primarily to prevent an exodus of England’s Red Roses stars to the rebel league.

- Matt Hughes

Eight of the 12 tier-one unions, led by England and New Zealand, announced last month that they would not select R360 players, and the Guardian has learned the Lions will follow suit. Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa also came out in support of a ban, but Wales and Argentina did not due to smaller player pools and weaker domestic leagues.

A number of England’s World Cup winners are leading targets for R360, with the fullback Ellie Kildunne saying last month that she is “open to anything”. With the next tournament four years away, there are concerns at the Rugby Football Union in particular that salaries of up to £270,000 in the franchise competition will be too good to turn down, despite the prospect of an international ban. The salary cap for an entire squad in Premiership Women’s Rugby this season is just £255,000.