Jo Yapp named head coach for historic first women’s British & Irish Lions tour
Former England captain will lead side in New Zealand
The 46-year-old preferred to Red Roses’ John Mitchell
Jo Yapp has been named the head coach for the first women’s British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2027. The former England captain is the head of the women’s pathway at the Rugby Football Union and lead Australia to the last eight of last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Yapp has been preferred to the England head coach, John Mitchell, for the coveted Lions job. The New Zealander led England to World Cup glory in 2025 and had said publicly he would like the job.
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.”
The 46-year-old will work part-time for the Lions from July before taking a sabbatical from her RFU role next year to go full-time. The rest of the coaching staff, selected from the four home nations, has yet to be confirmed.
The Lions will tour in September next year with the schedule including three Tests against the Black Ferns. New Zealand will be led by Whitney Hansen, who took over in December 2025.
Carol Isherwood, the chair of the Lions women’s committee, said: “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.”
After retiring in 2009, Yapp coached England Under-20s before becoming skills coach at Worcester. She was promoted to head coach and led the club side until it folded in 2023.
Yapp’s next role saw her named the head coach of Australia, becoming the first woman to lead the Wallaroos. She lead them to the WXV2 trophy in 2024 which secured the team’s place at the 2025 World Cup, where Yapp was just one of three female head coaches.
