British and Irish Lions confirm historic coaching appointment for first-ever Women’s tour to New Zealand
Jo Yapp (pictured) will lead the British and Irish Lions women's team in 2027
Jo Yapp has been announced as the first-ever British and Irish Lions women’s team head coach, taking charge of the 2027 tour of New Zealand.
Yapp will take a sabbatical from her role as head of women’s pathway at England to lead the squad next year, and will join the Lions on a part-time basis from July.
The Lions will head to New Zealand on the inaugural women’s tour, taking on the Black Ferns in a three-Test series alongside a number of tour fixtures.
British and Irish Lions announce Jo Yapp as inaugural women’s head coach
Yapp boasts a strong coaching CV across the club and Test stage, notably leading Australia into the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England. She also won 70 Test caps for England during her playing career, and featured in three World Cups.
Commenting on her appointment, Yapp said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
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Lions chief executive officer, Ben Calveley, added: “We are delighted to announce Jo Yapp as Head Coach of The British & Irish Lions Women’s Team for the 2027 Tour to New Zealand.
“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.”
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Also commenting, Carol Isherwood, chair of the Lions women’s committee, said: “Jo’s appointment marks a historic moment for the Lions as we build towards the inaugural Howden Lions Women’s Series in New Zealand next year.
“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.”
Further details on the Lions coaching staff will be announced in due course.
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