Jo Yapp says Lions Women will pick the best players for inaugural New Zealand tour

Jo Yapp has said it was a “genuine pinch-me” moment when she learned she had been named the first head coach of the British and Irish Lions Women.

The former England international will lead the side on their inaugural tour of New Zealand next year, and she says selection will be based on merit as the Lions prepare for a historic first campaign.

Yapp reflects on historic appointment

Yapp described the announcement as a landmark moment in her career, saying the scale of the role only really sank in when she was told the news. Becoming the first Lions Women head coach is a significant step for the women’s game, with the tour set to create a new chapter in British and Irish rugby.

Her appointment comes ahead of the first-ever British and Irish Lions Women tour, with New Zealand set to host the team next year. The role places Yapp at the centre of a major new project as the Lions expand into the women’s international game.

Selection will be based on performance

Yapp said she will pick the “best players” for the tour, underlining that selection will be driven by form and quality rather than reputation. That approach will be key as she builds a squad for a demanding trip against strong opposition in New Zealand.

The emphasis on choosing the strongest available players suggests a competitive selection process is ahead, with players from across the home nations expected to be assessed as preparations begin. For Yapp, the challenge will be to assemble a squad capable of making an immediate impact on the Lions Women’s first tour.

A landmark moment for the women’s game

Yapp’s appointment marks a historic first for the British and Irish Lions and for women’s rugby. The inaugural tour of New Zealand will not only introduce a new team to the international stage, but also place fresh attention on the women’s game within one of rugby’s most recognisable brands.

With the tour still ahead, Yapp’s message is clear: the Lions Women will be built around the strongest players available, as the team aims to make a strong impression in their first outing.