Jo Yapp appointed head coach for Lions women's 2027 NZ tour

Jo Yapp has been appointed as the inaugural head coach of the British & Irish Lions Women's team for its historic first tour to New Zealand in 2027. The formal announcement was made at a media conference in London.

Yapp, a former England captain who earned 70 caps as a scrum-half, will take a sabbatical from her role as Head of Women's Pathway at England Rugby to lead the tour. She will begin working part-time for the Lions in July before transitioning to the role full-time from January. Her coaching experience spans the international and club levels, including leading the Australian women's national team at the 2025 Rugby World Cup and previous roles with England Under-20s Women, Worcester Warriors Women, and the Barbarians.

The tour, titled the Howden British & Irish Lions Women's Series, will feature a three-Test series against the New Zealand Black Ferns. The schedule includes a pre-tour fixture against a Black Ferns XV in Whangarei on September 4, followed by Tests in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Additional pre-Test fixtures will be confirmed.

In a statement, Yapp called the appointment an incredible honor. She said the Lions represent the very best of the sport...