Everyone involved in the Scotland set up “could not be happier” for “absolute ball of energy” Josie Symonds about the news that she will be going on inaugural women’s British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2027.
Scotland women’s head of athletic performance Symonds has been selected to perform the same role with the Lions next year.
Reacting to the news, interim head coach Dave Butcher said: “It is outstanding, we couldn’t be happier for her.
“Every single person in the squad – the staff, and the players – gave Josie a round of applause, a standing ovation and hugs the other day when the news was announced to us all.
“Josie is really great at what she does and I can understand exactly why the Lions want her on board so we are massively supportive of it.
“I couldn’t be happier for her, it is brilliant.”
Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm, who has worked with Symonds since the latter joined the set up in 2024, added: “We are phenomenally proud, excited and happy for Josie.
“She’s someone who’s worked with me for a very long time and she is, without a doubt, probably the most hard-working person I’ve ever come across in my life, she takes her craft incredibly seriously and he’s a brilliant person.
“She really cares for her athletes. She takes the time to understand them as individuals, both in terms of their personality but also what their strengths and weaknesses are as an athlete.
“To have someone of her calibre with the Lions is phenomenal for the Lions, but I think for us as Scotland to have someone representing us in that group and in that highly thought of as a role is really, really cool.
“I can’t wait for the rest of the home nation to see how brilliant she is.
“She doesn’t change.
“She’s an absolute ball of energy and I think she’s perfect for us in terms of the personality that she has.
“She’s such a caring person and I think to have someone like with us who really ‘gets it’, gets the rugby, gets the emotional side of it and gets what being Scottish is all about is really important.”
Josie Symonds is pictured – thanks to Scottish Rugby
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