Jo Yapp has been named the head coach for the first women's British & Irish Lions tour, which will take place in New Zealand in 2027. The 46-year-old former England captain, who currently serves as the head of the women's pathway at the Rugby Football Union, previously led Australia to the quarter-finals of last year's Rugby World Cup.
Appointment Over John Mitchell
Yapp was preferred to England head coach John Mitchell for the position. Mitchell, a New Zealander, guided England to World Cup victory in 2025 and had publicly expressed his interest in the role.
Yapp's Reaction
Yapp said: "To lead the first 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."
The 46-year-old will work part-time for the Lions from July before taking a sabbatical from her RFU role next year to transition to a full-time commitment. The remainder of the coaching staff, drawn from the four home nations, has yet to be announced.
Tour Schedule
The Lions will tour in September 2027, with a schedule that includes three Tests against the Black Ferns. New Zealand will be led by Whitney Hansen, who assumed the role in December 2025.
Carol Isherwood, chair of the Lions women's committee, stated: "This is a hugely significant appointment for women's rugby and an exciting new chapter in Lions history. 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."
Coaching Career
After retiring from playing in 2009, Yapp coached England Under-20s before becoming skills coach at Worcester's women's side. She was later promoted to head coach and led the team until it folded in 2023.
Her next role was as head coach of Australia, making her the first woman to lead the Wallaroos. She guided them to the WXV2 trophy in 2024, securing their place at the 2025 World Cup, where Yapp was one of three female head coaches. The Wallaroos reached the quarter-finals but were eliminated by eventual runners-up Canada. She has also coached the Barbarians twice.
Playing Career
As a player, Yapp earned 70 caps for the Red Roses and represented England at three World Cups. In two of those tournaments, in 2002 and 2006, England lost to New Zealand in the final.
"I know from experience how challenging it is to face the Black Ferns on home soil," she said, "but that challenge is exactly what makes this tour so exciting. 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."
Lions CEO Comments
Ben Calveley, the Lions chief executive, added: "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."
"The selection process was rigorous, competitive and international in scope as befitting the significance of this historic appointment. For a moment that represents such a step forward for the game, it was important to us that this appointment serves our desire to grow and support all aspects of the women's game including the promotion of female coaches. We are delighted to appoint Jo, who we believe will excite players and fans alike as we continue to build towards New Zealand in 2027."
