John Mitchell named England women’s coach

John Mitchell
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell will take over as England women’s head coach later this year.

The 59-year-old will replace Simon Middleton, who stepped down following the Six Nations triumph at Twickenham at the weekend.

Currently defence coach for Japan’s men’s team, Mitchell will join England after the World Cup ends in October.

He said he wants England to “become a truly champion side that can rightfully contest for the World Cup in 2025”.

Former England captain Sarah Hunter, who retired in March as the most capped player in women’s rugby, will join Mitchell’s backroom staff.

Forwards coach Louis Deacon will take charge of the side for World Rugby’s new global women’s competition WXV in October.

Mitchell said: “The Red Roses have set an incredible standard and foundation for women’s rugby, being the most successful team in the Six Nations, which is a tremendous achievement. We now have the opportunity to build on this.”

Mitchell led New Zealand’s men to the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup.

He coached England men’s forwards under Sir Clive Woodward from 1997 to 2000, before becoming England defence coach under Eddie Jones for three years.

His CV also includes spells with Sale Sharks, Wasps and the USA.

Before leaving, Middleton said there was a “need” for female influence in the England coaching staff, while captain Marlie Packer has said the team wanted the “right person for the job”.

Hunter has been a player-coach at Premier 15s side Loughborough Lightning since 2017, while former Wasps player Lou Meadows, who also joins Mitchell’s backroom staff, has coached England Counties before taking on England women’s under-20s team this year.

World Rugby has set itself a target of 40% of all coaching staff at the 2025 Women’s World Cup being female.

New Zealand Rugby recently confirmed an all-male coaching line-up for the Black Ferns, the current world champions.

Of the top sides in the world, only France have a female head coach in former captain Gaelle Mignot, who is co-head coach with David Ortiz.

-BBC