Jo Yapp has been named head coach for the first women’s British & Irish Lions tour, which will see the team travel to New Zealand in 2027. The former England captain currently serves as head of the women’s pathway at the Rugby Football Union and previously led Australia to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
Yapp, 46, was chosen over England head coach John Mitchell, who had publicly expressed interest in the role. She will work part-time for the Lions from July before taking a sabbatical from her RFU role next year to focus full-time on the tour. The rest of the coaching staff, drawn from the four home nations, is yet to be confirmed.
The Lions will tour in September 2027, playing three Tests against the Black Ferns, who are now led by head coach Whitney Hansen. Yapp said: 'To lead the first British & Irish Lions women’s team is an incredible honour... This tour to New Zealand is an opportunity to create something truly special and help shape the future of women’s rugby.'
Yapp’s playing career included 70 caps for England and three World Cups, with runners-up finishes to New Zealand in 2002 and 2006. After retiring in 2009, she coached England Under-20s and Worcester’s women’s side before becoming the first female head coach of Australia’s Wallaroos. She led them to the WXV2 trophy in 2024 and a World Cup quarter-final in 2025.
Carol Isherwood, chair of the Lions women’s committee, described the appointment as 'hugely significant' and praised Yapp’s 'outstanding experience, leadership and understanding of the women’s game.' Lions chief executive Ben Calveley added that Yapp’s 'breadth of experience across the UK club game and the international women’s game in the southern hemisphere made her an outstanding candidate.'
