By NICK POWELL

FORMER England Women’s head coach Simon Middleton has praised successor John Mitchell for his approach of winning the “hearts and minds” of his new players while implementing a game plan they “will really enjoy”.
Having served as an assistant for the Red Roses’ 2014 World Cup triumph, Middleton, below, was head coach of the team from 2015 to 2023, winning five Six Nations Grand Slams and a further title and guiding his players to two World Cup finals in that time.
In his first two matches officially in charge of the team, Mitc...