The itch to return to top-level international rugby as a head coach never left Mitchell.<\/p>\n
In 2023, he was appointed head coach of the Red Roses after Simon Middleton fell short in his second successive World Cup final to New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Having worked with the Japan men’s team at the 2023 World Cup, Mitchell took the England job with a clear message. He wanted his side to “become a truly champion side”.<\/p>\n
It was always about winning this year’s home World Cup, but he also wanted his team to enjoy the journey.<\/p>\n
Mitchell is often seen dancing in his team’s TikToks, external<\/a> and made it clear there would be no social media ban during the World Cup, helping to avoid what he described as a “high-performance jail”.<\/p>\n Professionalism and high standards remain non-negotiable, but much of that responsibility is shared with his assistants – Lou Meadows, Louis Deacon and Sarah Hunter – young coaches still at the start of their coaching journeys.<\/p>\n The Red Roses are on a record 32-game winning run, have won back-to-back WXV1 titles and claimed successive Six Nations Grand Slams.<\/p>\n England are unbeaten under Mitchell’s leadership, but Canada are expected to be his toughest test yet.<\/p>\n Before the tournament, he said: “I told myself that whatever happens, happens. If it doesn’t happen [winning the World Cup] then it won’t define me.<\/p>\n “I won’t let outcome get to me like I allowed it to get to me as it was everything when I was younger.<\/p>\n “To put all your eggs in one basket, I think there is more to just winning it. Yes, getting it done but you need a phenomenal experience in doing it.”<\/p>\n That “phenomenal experience” may have been missing in some of his earlier roles, but it has become central to his coaching philosophy now, with his contract running until 30 June 2026.<\/a><\/p>\n Given that he helped lay the foundations for two World Cup-winning sides, you wonder if his own time has finally come.<\/p>\n Mitchell cried when England won the Six Nations Grand Slam – a title they have now claimed seven years in a row.<\/p>\n The once hard-nosed defence coach will almost certainly show that emotional side again, regardless of Saturday’s outcome.<\/p>\n