Former US women's Test captain Tiffany Faaee has become the first woman in American history to lead a professional men's team after being appointed assistant coach of a Major League Rugby team.

It is possible – though not yet verified – that Faaee is the first woman in the world to coach a professional men's team.

Former Canada international Jo Hull, currently head coach of Hong Kong's women's team, is believed to have coached a men's club team in Canada.

'The game is exactly the same': Gender is no barrier for new assistant coach at Rugby United New York, Tiffany Faaee. Credit:Instagram/'Tiffany Faaee

In Australia, Marguerite Howard – the mother of former Wallaby and Cricket Australia official Pat Howard – coached the University of Queensland Colts to a premiership, while Karen Mould coached Randwick Boys High School's first XV.