Former England captain Jo Yapp appointed new Wallaroos head coach

Rugby Australia has officially announced the appointment of former England captain Jo Yapp as the new full-time head of the Wallaroos.

Yapp has committed to a two-year contract with the team following the departure of Jay Tregonning, who was the sole female head coach of an Australian senior national team in a major football code during WXV 1.

Yapp boasts an impressive record of 70 international appearances, including participation in three World Cups—1998, 2002, and 2006—where she led the team as captain to the Final.

Transitioning into coaching, Yapp contributed significantly to England's U20 program for five years, nurturing a highly talented cohort that was considered a 'golden generation.'

Her coaching journey saw her rise from a skills coach to the director of rugby at Worcester, guiding the club to a commendable sixth position in the English competition before its closure.

Moreover, Yapp has notable experience coaching the Barbarians on two occasions and is enthusiastic about elevating the Australian program following a promising 2023 season.

"It is a great honour to be appointed head coach of a proud rugby nation such as Australia," Yapp said.

"I have fond recollections of battling Australia as a player, and you cannot help but be impressed by the strides the Wallaroos have made in the past couple of years.

"For a semi-professional team to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup last year, and to then finish third in the WXV tournament this year is a huge testament to the talent in the country.

"I have seen some of that up close in recent years too, with some of the Australian players having stints in the English Premiership.

"I am looking forward to getting started, getting to know the players, and building further towards the 2025 Rugby World Cup."