Mitchell retains faith in players for final

Mitchell refuses to place a limit on England’s capabilities as they target the victory over Canada that will deliver Rugby World Cup glory this afternoon, writes Duncan Bech.

- JOHN Mitchell

Mitchell has named an unchanged starting XV and bench for the Allianz Stadium showdown, a selection he insists is about “trusting the group we have built over the three years’.

History is against England in the shape of a dismal World Cup finals record that has seen them reach the climax to the last six events while winning just once, also against Canada in 2014.

But Mitchell believes the current crop of Red Roses, who have amassed a record 32 successive victories, are ready to thrive on the greatest stage of all.

“I don't think you've ever seen the best of England. There’s definitely more in this team. We always ask more of ourselves,’ the head coach said.

“We probably don’t even know what that ceiling is - it's probably wrong of us to set a limit. These girls are driven, they want to get better.