From The Rugby Paper · The Rugby Paper Team · · 1m 30s
British & Irish Lions Women’s Tour Squad Preview
British & Irish Lions Women’s provisional squad for New Zealand tour named by Jo Yapp.
In brief
British & Irish Lions Women’s provisional squad for New Zealand tour named by Jo Yapp. Jo Yapp names 38 players for British & Irish Lions Women’s inaugural New Zealand tour. Originally reported by The Rugby Paper.
Provisional squad announced
Jacob Bassford predicts a 38-player British & Irish Lions Women’s squad for New Zealand tour.
Squad size rationale
38 players match men’s tour size despite fewer matches for women’s tour.
Form as selection factor
WXV form heavily influences squad picks with focus on players returning from maternity leave.
Scrummaging advantage
Prioritizing scrum strength with Wales’s Maisie Davies and Gwenllian Pyrs selected over England’s Sarah Bern and Mackenzie Carson.
Back row selection
Scotland’s Evie Gallagher, Wales’s Alex Callender and Ireland’s Aoife Wafer included despite fitness concerns.
Scrumhalf dilemma
Keira Bevan selected for dual role with Seren Lockwood as first-choice no.9.
Centres and wingers
Wales’s Freya Bell and Ireland’s Aoife Dalton selected for physicality and playmaking.
Back three challenges
No player matches New Zealand’s Ayesha Leti-I’iga’s power on the wing.
Nation breakdown
England 19 players, Ireland 8, Scotland 4, Wales 7 for total 38.
Squad list
Full squad includes hookers, loosehead props, tighthead props, second rows, back rows, scrumhalves, flyhalves, centres, wingers and fullbacks.
Tour significance
Inaugural British & Irish Lions Women’s tour to New Zealand marks historic event.
What matters most
Jo Yapp names 38 players for British & Irish Lions Women’s inaugural New Zealand tour.
