Mitchell Switches Red Roses' Focus to World Cup

"New Zealand have more pressure on them to win the upcoming Rugby World Cup than us because they are on for the three-peat," the England head coach, John Mitchell, says as his focus turns from celebrating Six Nations success to the looming global tournament.

- Sarah Rendell

The Black Ferns have won the past two Rugby World Cups, beating England in the 2017 and 2022 finals. But they have done a four-peat in the competition previously as they won the trophy from 1998-2010.

The Red Roses, who won their seventh consecutive Women's Six Nations title on Saturday with a 43-42 victory against France, have not won the Rugby World Cup since 2014 despite dominating the sport in all other competitions in the past few years: in 62 games they have lost only one, that coming in the World Cup final three years ago.

Mitchell was asked if he and his coaches are keeping an eye on New Zealand pre-World Cup. "We are focusing more on the USA, Samoa and Australia [England's pool opponents]," he said. "Then Wales, Scotland and France again in a semi-final. If all things go to plan they [New Zealand] will be on the other side. We will deal with that if we earn the right but I think New Zealand are on for a three-peat in World Cups so there is probably more pressure on them to win a World Cup than us."