Jo Yapp Seeks Andy Farrell's Expertise for British and Irish Lions Tour

Jo Yapp's Preparation for the British and Irish Lions Tour

Jo Yapp, the women's British and Irish Lions head coach, has begun her preparations for the inaugural tour by seeking advice from experienced coaches. She recently spoke with Andy Farrell, who led the men's team to victory in Australia in 2025.

Seeking Expert Advice

Yapp emphasized the importance of drawing on the experiences of those who have gone before her. She said, "I think it is really important to draw on the experiences before. I have already spoken to Andy Farrell who was really helpful so my plan is to make sure we pick the brains of those who have gone before because it would be naive not to use that experience."

Building the Coaching Staff

Yapp has not yet selected the rest of her coaching staff, but she stressed the importance of "getting the best people in the room" to create a strong and supportive environment for the players. She highlighted that it is crucial to work with people you trust.

Player Selection

There have been concerns that the Lions team might be mainly composed of England players, given the dominance of the Red Roses in women's rugby. However, Yapp stated that her goal is to pick the best players, regardless of their nationality. She expressed her enthusiasm for seeing players from other unions step up during the upcoming games.

The Future of the British and Irish Lions

The CEO of the Lions, Ben Calveley, defended the decision to tour New Zealand in 2027, stating that they "stand by" their choice. He also mentioned that future tours could explore different locations, including potentially France.