Mitchell leans on 2019 lessons as Red Roses bid for home World Cup glory

England’s women’s head coach John Mitchell believes the lessons he learned from England’s men’s World Cup final heartbreak in 2019 can help guide the Red Roses to global glory on home soil. Mitchell, who was an assistant to Eddie Jones in Japan when England lost the 2019 final to South Africa, now leads a team bidding to become the first senior England side to win a World Cup on home turf. They meet Canada at a sold-out Twickenham on Saturday, with England viewed as firm favourites to lift the trophy.

Mitchell stressed that the emotional and physical demands of a pinnacle tournament require careful management, saying the team had to refill an emotional tank after the semi-final surge in 2019. "The way we’ve prepared this week is to make sure we headed off for a couple of days after the semi-final performance to be able to come back in focused," he said. "This is actually very similar to previous experiences I’ve had. It has its unusual pressures that always come with a pinnacle tournament. I probably spend more time in this job being a psychologist than a rugby coach. I’ve only spoken once in the whole week and that was on Tuesday morning. The most important thing is to get out of the girls’ way." The Red Roses have named an unchanged 23 and will field their strongest possible squad for the showpiece against Canada, with England’s lineup featuring Ellie Kildunne at outside back and captain Zoe Aldcroft leading from the second row. Canada’s starting XV includes Julia Schell at fullback and Alysha Corrigan in midfield, with a pack that includes McKinley Hunt and Justine Pelletier, aiming to test England’s structure from the outset.

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England have won 32 straight matches since their 2022 World Cup final defeat in Auckland and head into the final after beating the USA, Samoa, Australia, Scotland and France en route to the decider. Canada upset the Black Ferns with an attacking display that highlighted their capability to torment England if they underestimate their adversaries. Mitchell’s side will rely on a confident look in the tunnel and an ability to manage the pace of a final at home, with the atmosphere expected to be electric, potentially setting a record crowd for a women’s game.

"We’re focused on the opportunity for success rather than the risk of failure. We haven’t been perfect by any means, but we’ve been effective. We’re playing good tournament rugby. Ultimately, I want to see these girls fulfil their potential," Mitchell said, underscoring the balance between ambition and realism. Captain Zoe Aldcroft echoed the mood, insisting England’s players are ready to seize a once-in-a-generation chance on home soil. "We’ve been working for three years and it’s just our time now. We really feel like that," Aldcroft said, acknowledging the weight of expectation that accompanies a world title final at Twickenham.

The looming final comes with a sense of seismic potential for the women’s game in England. A victory would not only crown the Red Roses as world champions but could reshape perceptions and development pathways for female rugby in the country. The plan, Mitchell indicated, is to take England from a strong side to a great one by seizing the moment and delivering on their long-held potential.

In other England rugby news, the men’s team received injury news of their own ahead of a congested autumn schedule. Leicester lock George Martin has been ruled out of the national side’s four autumn internationals after shoulder surgery, extending a period of rehabilitation for a player who has endured a run of knee and shoulder issues. England head coach Steve Borthwick said Martin remains a valued member of the squad and that the timing of his return would be reassessed as the season progresses. "George is a fantastic player and a valued member of the England squad. He approaches everything he does with professionalism and commitment and there’s no doubt he’s bringing that same focus to his rehab. We look forward to seeing him back when the time is right," Borthwick said.

As the Red Roses prepare for a potential world title on home soil, the broader England rugby program will be hoping for momentum across both codes. If England do clinch the title, the historic crowd and the television audience accompanying the final could accelerate investments and participation in women’s rugby across the country, with coaches and players alike hoping the moment becomes a catalyst for lasting change.