# British & Irish Lions Women’s Tour Squad Preview

> British & Irish Lions Women’s provisional squad for New Zealand tour named by Jo Yapp.
- Title: British & Irish Lions Women’s Tour Squad Preview | Shortify
- Summary: British & Irish Lions Women’s provisional squad for New Zealand tour named by Jo Yapp.
- Keywords: british and irish lions women, new zealand tour, jo yapp, provisional squad, wxv global, rugby, lions tour, scrummaging advantage, back row, hookers, The Rugby Paper
- Source: The Rugby Paper — https://therugbypaper.co.uk/all/world/british-and-irish-lions/british-and-irish-lions-tour/497489/my-provisional-british-irish-lions-womens-squad-for-new-zealand-tour
- Author: The Rugby Paper Team
- Published: 2026-11-13T11:59:46+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: british and irish lions women, new zealand tour, jo yapp, provisional squad, wxv global, rugby, lions tour, scrummaging advantage, back row, hookers, sports
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Jo Yapp names 38 players for British & Irish Lions Women’s inaugural New Zealand tour.