British & Irish Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland insists every member of his newly-named 2017 squad will be given a chance to challenge for Test selection against the All Blacks.

Gatland – who led the Lions to an historic series victory against Australia in 2013 – today unveiled a 41-man squad that will head to New Zealand next month.

16 Englishmen, 12 Welshmen, 11 Irishmen and two Scots make up Gatland’s touring party for the six-week Tour that will culminate in a three-Test series against the All Blacks.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2017 LIONS SQUAD

There is a genuine mix of youth and experience with 16 players in the group also part of the 2013 party and Sam Warburton re-installed as captain for the second Tour in a row.

And Gatland insists every single player in his travelling squad will be given the chance to challenge for Test selection – provided they show the right attitude on Tour.

“Everyone will get the opportunity. Looking at the potential combinations that we have got, we think it is going to be really competitive,” he said.

“The message to the players is that, if you have been selected, then you must go with the confidence that you are good enough to be part of the Test XV.

“Some of them are going to be disappointed that they have missed out but you have got to put your hand up and have that belief, you have to be competitive and fight hard at training and be committed in terms of your contributions in training and meetings.

“There is a huge amount going into that so the message to those players is to come and be part of the squad, but not just to make up the numbers.

“If you are here to just make up numbers then there is no way you are going be part of the Test squad.

“We hope everyone is going out with the attitude that if things go well enough for me I am good enough to start in a Test.”