The China Mail - Yapp named coach of British and Irish Lions women's team

The 46-year-old, also a former England captain, currently acts as head of women's pathway at England's governing Rugby Football Union, having been in charge of Australia at last year's World Cup.

"To lead the first-ever Lions women's team is an incredible honour and something I'm immensely proud of," Yapp said in a statement.

"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."

John Mitchell, the head coach of an all-conquering England, was also understood to be a candidate for the Lions role following the Red Roses' World Cup triumph on home soil in September 2025.

Lions chief executive Ben Calveley explained the decision was influenced by the desire to promote female coaches within women's rugby union.

"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," Calveley said.

"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."

The Lions face three Tests against New Zealand's Black Ferns in September 2027 and will play two further games in the five-fixture programme.

England are set to provide the overwhelming majority of the touring party given the Red Roses recently completed their fifth straight Grand Slam in the Women's Six Nations.

But such is England's dominance many observers have questioned the decision to replicate the Lions format in the women's game as soon as next year, given the team is meant to represent a blend of leading players from the four Home Unions -- England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

J.Liv--ThChM