Jo Yapp has been appointed as the head coach for the inaugural women's British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, scheduled for 2027. The former England captain, who earned 70 caps for the Red Roses, will lead the historic tour, marking a significant milestone in women's rugby.
Yapp's Impressive Credentials
The 46-year-old currently serves as the head of the women's pathway at the Rugby Football Union (RFU). She previously guided Australia to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, where they were eliminated by eventual runners-up Canada. Yapp was preferred to England head coach John Mitchell, who led England to World Cup glory in 2025 and had publicly expressed interest in the Lions role.
A Historic Appointment
Yapp expressed her pride in leading the first-ever women's British & Irish Lions team, stating: "To lead the first-ever British & Irish Lions women's team is an incredible honour and something I'm immensely proud of. The Lions represents the very best of our sport and this tour to New Zealand is an opportunity to create something truly special and help shape the future of women's rugby for years to come."
She will work part-time for the Lions from July before taking a sabbatical from her RFU role next year to focus on the tour full-time. The rest of the coaching staff, drawn from the four home nations, has yet to be confirmed.
The Tour and Opposition
The Lions will tour New Zealand in September 2027, with a schedule that includes three Test matches against the Black Ferns. The Black Ferns are led by Whitney Hansen, who took over as head coach in December 2025. Yapp acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying: "I know from experience how challenging it is to face the Black Ferns on home soil, but that challenge is exactly what makes this tour so exciting."
Yapp's Coaching Journey
After retiring as a player in 2009, Yapp began her coaching career with England Under-20s before becoming a skills coach at Worcester. She was later promoted to head coach and led the club until it folded in 2023. She then became the head coach of Australia, making history as the first woman to lead the Wallaroos. Under her guidance, Australia won the WXV2 trophy in 2024, securing their place at the 2025 World Cup, where Yapp was one of only three female head coaches.
As a player, Yapp faced the Black Ferns in two World Cup finals, in 2002 and 2006, both of which England lost. She also represented England at three World Cups and captained the side on multiple occasions.
Reactions from Lions Leadership
Carol Isherwood, chair of the Lions women's committee, hailed the appointment as "a hugely significant appointment for women's rugby and an exciting new chapter in Lions history." She added: "Jo brings outstanding experience, leadership and understanding of the women's game and I have no doubt she will play an important role in bringing together and leading the very best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales."
Lions chief executive Ben Calveley noted: "Jo's breadth of experience across the UK club game and the international women's game in the southern hemisphere made her an outstanding candidate for this role. Her vision for bringing together players from the four unions was hugely compelling, and we are thrilled to welcome her on board." He also emphasized the rigorous and competitive selection process, which aimed to promote female coaches and support the growth of the women's game.
Looking Ahead
Yapp is confident in the talent across the four unions, stating: "There is an enormous amount of talent across the four unions and I'm looking forward to bringing together the very best players to represent the Lions in 2027." The tour promises to be a landmark event for women's rugby, building on the momentum of the 2025 World Cup and inspiring future generations.
