John Mitchell has described coaching England’s World Cup-winning women’s team as a life-changing event and revealed he is open to the idea of continuing in his role beyond the 2026 Six Nations.
England beat Canada 33-13 at a sold-out Twickenham, with a record 5.8 million watching on television, to lift the World Cup and extend their winning run to 33 games, an unbeaten streak that takes in the whole of Mitchell’s reign, which began in 2023.
“Some parts of the day will stick in my life forever,” Mitchell said. “When we got off the bus, we were walking over to the entry and I had a quick glance at the south stand and the place was just spinning with people. I don’t think I have ever seen that before.
“I thought the national anthems, the way they were sung, seemed so powerful. It seemed so England, which was cool. To be associated with these girls, they are driven, they have changed my life, changed the way I think as well. All of those sorts of things are added bonuses. A trophy is one thing, a medal is another thing but actually the quality of the people you work with is the ultimate.
“Most of my career has been in the men’s game, it’s a bias isn’t it? It was the only reference I ever had. To get the opportunity to coach these girls you have got to observe and listen and find ways to make them tick.”
Mitchell’s England contract expires after next year’s Six Nations but he gave an open-ended answer when asked about his future. “I am still part of the next chapter,” he said. “We have a Six Nations in April. I have got plenty of time to think about it. Take a little break and then do some road trips in November to make sure we are back into a new goal and in January we will probably do another road trip to make sure we invest in the right people going forward.”
View image in fullscreen John Mitchell has helped England to a 33-game unbeaten run. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
The players have described the experience as “unbelievable” with 81,885 in the stands to set a new attendance record for a women’s rugby game. Abbie Ward, who scored a try in the final, felt there has not been a game played at Twickenham with an atmosphere like the one they experienced.
“I think anyone who came yesterday is going to come back,” Ward said. “The energy, everyone that we have spoken to, whether you are a diehard Red Roses fan or it was your first occasion it was unbelievable. You talk about moments and trying to encapsulate a moment, that is one we will genuinely never ever forget.
“Getting off the bus, it was unbelievable. Let’s see that again, let’s have that again, let’s have that in the Women’s Six Nations against Ireland. Any game that has been at Twickenham, I genuinely think that atmosphere was unmatched. Bring it on, let’s see more of that.”
skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to The Breakdown Free weekly newsletter The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. If you do not have an account, we will create a guest account for you on Newsletters may contain information about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. If you do not have an account, we will create a guest account for you on theguardian.com to send you this newsletter. You can complete full registration at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion
England’s next game will be that Ireland Six Nations match at Twickenham on 11 April. The player to lead them into that game is the captain, Zoe Aldcroft, who led them in Saturday’s final and who broke down in tears when they were confirmed as world champions.
She said of the moment: “I think it was a moment of absolute pride. We built this over three years and it was just so special to take in that moment and enjoy the 82,000 people that were there and this special group on the pitch. It was a moment of ‘we’ve bloody done it’.”
England players will have a break now before heading back to their Premiership Women’s Rugby clubs with the league season beginning again on 24 October.
[SRC] https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/28/john-mitchell-open-to-staying-as-england-rugby-union-coach-after-womens-world-cup-win
