Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Yapp brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role
BySara OrchardRugby union commentator- Published40 minutes ago
Former England captain Jo Yapp says she wants to "create something truly special" after being named as the first British and Irish Lions Women coach for next year's inaugural tour in New Zealand.
Yapp won 70 caps as a scrum-half and went to three World Cups, leading the Red Roses to the 2006 decider.
After spells with England Women Under-20s, Worcester Warriors Women and the Barbarians, she guided Australia to the final eight of last year's World Cup before returning to England to take up the role of head of women's pathway.
The Lions Women will open their tour with a warm-up match against a Black Ferns XV in Whangarei on 4 September before three Tests in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
"To lead the first ever British and Irish Lions women's team is an incredible honour and something I'm immensely proud of," said the 46-year-old.
"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 [England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales] and I'm looking forward to bringing together the very best players to represent the Lions in 2027."
Yapp will work part-time for the Lions from July, before taking a full sabbatical from the RFU to work full-time as Lions head coach from January.
British and Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calverley said: "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.
"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."
Who could join the coaching team?
One of the greatest challenges for Yapp will be to avoid the tour looking and feeling like an England tour, with the world champion Red Roses continuing to dominate the international stage.
While the women's tour is not expected to mirror the men's equivalent, speculation will now turn to the coaching team Yapp will build around her.
Having previously coached the Barbarians Women to success twice alongside Yapp, ex-Wales captain Rachel Taylor could make up part of the coaching ticket while another Welsh candidate would include current head coach Sean Lynn.
English names that could be in the frame include England defence and attack coaches Sarah Hunter and Emily Scarratt, fresh from helping the Red Roses to an eighth consecutive Grand Slam, along with forwards coach Louis Deacon.
Former PWR (Premiership Women's Rugby) head coaches Giselle Mather and Susie Appleby, both with excellent CVs, could be contenders.
From Ireland, there is a lack of women with international coaching experience although former Test players Niamh Briggs and Tania Rosser could make cases.
Current Ireland head coach Scott Bemand is flush with experience having previously been on England's coaching ticket.
Former Ireland international Lynne Cantwell would be a welcome addition in any capacity although she might be keen to focus on her day job as the IRFU's head of strategy.
Scottish names would include Claire Cruikshank, who is continually in and out of the Scotland camp alongside her role with Edinburgh, although it's thought unlikely that Scotland head coach Sione Fukofuka would throw his hat into the ring so soon after his appointment in December 2025.
After previously expressing interest in the role, England head coach John Mitchell is now likely to focus on the Red Roses' defence of the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2029.
