England aiming for a repeat success

By Ben Jaycock and James Orpin

Break: Abby Dow scores against New Zealand and, inset, John Mitchell

PICTURES: Getty Images

WXV 1

ON THE eve of WXV1 in Canada, John Mitchell hopes crowds in attendance reflect the product on display that his world number one Red Roses warrant.

England cruised to last year’s inaugural title in New Zealand with dominant wins over Australia, Canada and the Black Ferns but games were played in front of underwhelming crowds.

France and England boast the highest attendances for international women’s rugby. The Red Roses drew in 41,523 for last weekend’s victory over New Zealand at the newly crowned Allianz Stadium and with the RFU’s primary goal of selling out their 82,000 seater for next year’s final, there’s a concern that playing in front of a few hundred spectators in an international tournament detracts from their appeal.

Following last year’s tournament, England captain Marlie Packer said: “As a player, it was disappointing with the fans. I’m not going to lie to you, the stadiums were empty, weren’t as much as we were expecting, but that doesn’t take away anything from the game.”

England head coach Mitchell is an advocate for the tournament which is split into three divisions and feels it has an important place in the women’s rugby calendar.

He told The Rugby Paper: “I like the concept that it goes off rankings. In WXV2 and 3 there’s teams with opportunities to win and perform well. If they played New Zealand, France and ourselves, even though it’s great experience for them it’s important for them to gain confidence. Last year’s tournament gave Scotland confidence, Ireland has grown through that as well but more importantly, I think we’ve got a responsibility to make sure we’re playing in front of crowds. France and England do that the best. The Red Roses don’t deserve to play in front of non-crowds because they present a good product. Hopefully the games are supported well. All the matches are on 4g pitches so there’ll be some quick rugby being played.”

Mitchell announced his 30-player squad this week with Gloucester-Hartpury flanker Georgia Brock, below left, and Loughborough Lightning second row Lilli Ives Campion, below right, earning call ups after making their debuts in the 24-12 victory over New Zealand.

“It’s a very strong squad and it became clearer as we progressed through pre-season,” said Mitchell. “We’ve gone for four locks and five specialist back rowers, so some back rows have missed out as a result. A third winger has cost us a specialist full-back but we’ve got the versatility of Helena (Rowland). When we went to WXV last year we were fortunate to have Claudia (MacDonald) as a third nine. The 30 players come down to positional mix and cover.

“Lilli (Ives Campion) is an international developing lock. She’s a tall girl, smart, calls lineouts and still has physical development. Her development needs to be part of this group. She’ll be chasing selection and learning how to become a better international. Should we get lock injuries we know she’s ready. Georgia’s (Brock) a mini Marlie (Packer). She’s come through a very good PWR season, good in continuity, in the tackle and for her to learn from Marlie is huge. I like the way she regains and creates momentum, she’s a lady of few words but prides herself on her actions. So, has got an exciting future.”

There are two uncapped prospects in Mitchell’s squad – Loughborough winger Bo Westcombe-Evans, who made the most metres in Premiership Women’s Rugby last season and just edged Exeter Chiefs’ Katie Buchanan, and Bristol Bears centre Phoebe Murray, who was a standout in her side’s journey to their first final.

Champions: England lift the trophy last year

Mitchell added: “We track the players physically in all their training and Phoebe’s (Murray) physical metrics are right up there. She’s played a lot of 13 but her physical profile allows us to win gain line with her preparing at 12. She’s got good distribution, is a really smart woman which allows her to pick things up really quickly. As a non-playing member, she has contributed extremely well during the seven weeks. Bo (Westcombe-Evans) is our third winger because she has finishing ability like Jess (Breach) and Abby Dow. It was a tough call between her and Katie (Buchanan). Katie is a very good defensive player but probably needs to become a bit more robust. My gut has gone for Bo as I like her outside break.”

However, there is no place for former captain and 65-time international Poppy Cleall, who was a key part of England’s past two World Cup campaigns.

With England only able to select 30 players for the tournament, two shy of next year’s World Cup, Mitchell stresses that the door remains open for a recall but feels the Saracens back row must adapt better to the fast paced modern game.

“Red Roses are on a 17-match winning streak, stretching back to their defeat in World Cup final”

He said: “If it was 32 you’d take six back rowers. Poppy’s a 6 and an 8, the game is getting quicker so it’s challenging her physical demands to play the game we want to play. She’s got every opportunity to make the World Cup squad, she just has to work harder physically. Positionally we don’t have enough space for her at the minute.”

Harlequins hooker Connie Powell has returned to fitness in time after missing out on the Red Roses’ two warm up matches and has edged out Saracens’ May Campbell for a place on the plane due to her accurate lineout darts.

Mitchell added: “Connie didn’t meet the physical standards five weeks ago but has now met those. She was very good for us in the Six Nations and is also a good thrower of the ball. The three hookers selected are the best three hookers in the country that can hit the target and deliver at lineout time. That’s really important for us because we don’t want to be giving away possession and that area has become a huge strength of ours.”

The champions open their tournament on September 29 against United States, who are ranked eighth in the World Rugby rankings, before matches against New Zealand and world number three Canada, who beat New Zealand earlier this year in the Pacific Four Series, on the following two weekends.

England are on a 17-match winning streak, stretching back to their defeat by New Zealand in the World Cup final in 2022. Mitchell’s side are top of the world rankings – more than seven points clear of second-placed New Zealand – and hot favourites to win WXV before next year’s home World Cup.

The Red Roses ended their meeting with the world champions at HQ last weekend comfortable winners after beating France 38-19 at Kingsholm a week prior.

However, their performance was patchy in parts and given that was the first time the Black Ferns had played this season, it’s expected their meeting in round 2 on October 6 will likely be where the tournament is won or lost.

New Zealand winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga proved a handful brushing aside attempted tacklers, while on the opposite wing Katelyn Vahaakolo possesses deadly finishing ability, scoring two tries last weekend to take her tally to 15 tries in just 11 Tests.

England full-back Ellie Kildunne, right, told The Rugby Paper: “In the first 20 minutes they really came firing at us. We speak about how important the first quarter of games are and it’s great how we were challenged in those moments. They are big girls, physical and run really hard as well, so it wasn’t easy at times. They challenged us in ways in which we hadn’t been challenged in a while. Having two warm up matches that are potential World Cup final matchups is going to pay dividends in the long run and has prepared us well for WXV.”

Ireland could be one of the dark horses in the tournament. They went three for three in WXV3 and following a third-place Six Nations finish, Scott Bemand’s side are full of momentum as they leap into the premier division.

PWR players Shannon Ikahihifo, Grace Moore, Andrea Stock (all Trail-finders), Edel McMahon, Clíodhna Moloney, Dorothy Wall (all Exeter Chiefs) and Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury) have been named in the squad.

Prop Sophie Barrett was an outstanding performer for Niamh Briggs‘ Ireland U20s during the summer and received her first senior call-up, joining Ruth Campbell, Siobhán McCarthy, Andrea Stock and Ireland Sevens international Erin King as the uncapped forwards in the 35-player panel.

King is one of five Olympians selected by Bemand, with Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Emily Lane and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe – who have all previously been capped at XVs level – also coming into the squad having been part of Ireland Women’s Sevens’ eighth-place finish at Paris 2024.

Head coach Bemand said: “The coaching team have been keeping a close eye on performances during the U20 Summer Series in Italy and, most recently, the Women’s Interprovincial Series, and it is exciting to reward several players with first senior call-ups.”