Overview
- The British & Irish Lions announced Wednesday that Jo Yapp will lead their first women’s tour to New Zealand in 2027.
- Yapp will work part-time for the Lions from July 2026, take the role full-time from January 2027, and will take a sabbatical from her England Rugby post for the tour.
- The itinerary is confirmed as a six-match programme that culminates in a three-Test series against New Zealand’s Black Ferns, with specific pre-tour fixtures and the full match schedule still to be announced.
- Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said the international, competitive selection process prioritised promoting female coaches; former England coach John Mitchell was considered but not chosen.
- Next steps include naming the wider coaching and communications team and selecting a squad likely to feature a majority of England players, a development that could deepen the Red Roses’ influence and boost coaching pathways across the four home unions.