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 British and Irish Lions Women head coach, and she has made clear that selection for next year’s inaugural tour of New Zealand will be based on merit.

Yapp, who has made history with the appointment, said the role is a significant honour and that she is focused on building the strongest possible squad for the Lions Women’s first tour. The former England international stressed that the team will be made up of the “best players” available, underlining the competitive nature of the selection process.

Yapp reflects on historic appointment

The announcement marks a major milestone for women’s rugby, with the British and Irish Lions set to stage their first women’s tour in New Zealand next year. Yapp described the moment she found out about the job as surreal, saying it felt like a “genuine pinch-me” experience.

Her appointment is a landmark for the Lions and for the women’s game, with the new tour creating an opportunity for leading players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to come together under the famous Lions banner. Yapp’s comments suggest that form, fitness and performance will all be central to the final squad decisions.

Selection will be based on merit

Yapp said the priority is to choose the strongest group possible, rather than simply filling the squad with familiar names. By saying she will pick the “best players”, she signalled that every position will be open to competition as the Lions Women prepare for their first tour.

The inaugural trip to New Zealand will be a major test and a historic occasion for the women’s side, and Yapp’s leadership will be closely watched as preparations begin. Her appointment has already drawn attention because of its significance, and her early message has been clear: the Lions Women will aim to select on quality and build a squad capable of competing at the highest level.

For Yapp, the role represents both a personal milestone and a chance to shape a new chapter in Lions history. For players across the home nations, it opens the door to a prestigious opportunity that will be earned through performance.