British and Irish Lions women's head coach Jo Yapp has committed to selecting the best available players for next summer's inaugural New Zealand tour, even if it means the squad skews heavily toward world champions England. The Red Roses have won 38 consecutive Tests and remain unbeaten against Scotland, Wales and Ireland since 2015.

Yapp, appointed last month, emphasized merit over balance when choosing the historic first squad. 'Ultimately, when it comes to the Lions, it's about picking the best players,' she told BBC Sport. She's already consulted Andy Farrell, who led the men's Lions to a 2-1 series win over Australia last year, about the compressed preparation timeline.

The tour begins with a match against Black Ferns XV on 4 September 2027, followed by three Tests culminating at Christchurch's One NZ Stadium on 25 September. Yapp brings extensive experience, having earned 70 England caps and recently served as Australia coach at the Women's Rugby World Cup before taking her current RFU talent development role.

Lions chief executive Ben Calveley backed Yapp as the clear choice after a comprehensive global search, praising her tactical understanding and commitment to building team culture. Officials expect the tour to break even or generate modest profit while establishing the women's Lions as a permanent fixture every four years.