Former England captain Jo Yapp is the coach of the British and Irish Lions Women for the 2027 tour in New Zealand. She earned 70 caps as a scrum‑half, appeared in three World Cups and captained the Red Roses to the 2006 final. After spells with England U‑20s, Worcester Warriors and the Barbarians, Yapp led Australia at the World Cup before resuming the RFU’s women’s pathway role.

The Lions will kick off the tour with a warm‑up against a Black Ferns XV in Whangarei on 4 September, followed by three Tests in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Yapp stresses the difficulty of facing the world champions on home soil, calling the prospect “exactly what makes this tour exciting.” The squad draws from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, promising a truly composite side.

Building her backroom will be the next test; names like ex‑Barbarians star Rachel Taylor, Wales’ Sean Lynn and England’s Sarah Hunter have been floated. Yapp’s part‑time start in July and full‑time sabbatical from January underline the Lions’ commitment to a distinct women’s identity, ensuring the tour will not simply echo an England side.