John Mitchell named new England Women's head coach
John Mitchell was England's defence coach between 2018 and 2021
©Steve Haag
The Rugby Football Union has announced the appointment of John Mitchell as the new head coach of the England Women's side.
Mitchell will take up the new role post the Men's World Cup later this year in France where he will be part of Japan's coaching panel.
Mitchell has a coaching experience close to 30 years having worked with Sale Sharks, Wasps, Waikato, Chiefs, Western Force, Lions and Bulls.
At the international level, he was the forwards coach of Ireland in 1996 before taking a similar role with England a year later. He also had worked with New Zealand and United States before rejoining England as defence coach under Eddie Jones between 2018 and 2021.
He is currently part of Japan's backroom staff which he joined last year and is contracted until the upcoming World Cup.
"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, and we now have the opportunity to build on this, mature in key areas and become a truly champion side that can rightfully contest for the World Cup in 2025," Mitchell said.
"I would like to honour the hugely supportive Red Roses fans with successful performances as we work towards winning and selling out Twickenham Stadium for the Rugby World Cup in 2025."
With Simon Middleton stepping down from the role post the recently concluded Six Nations tournament which they went on to clinch the Grand Slam, the RFU announced that Louis Deacon will take the role on the interim basis until Mitchell's arrival.
