Latest news with #EnglandRugby
The Independent
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
John Mitchell: ‘People see the Red Roses as an easy team to coach - but it's a very challenging programme'
The wind is whipping along the terrace at the back of England's Teddington training base, rattling the protective canopies overhead, but John Mitchell is presenting an image of perfect tranquillity. Pupils scanning in an ever-considered manner from behind the clear-framed eyewear that have become his trademark, a Red Roses bucket hat adorns his familiar dome, the head coach fresh off the training paddock as preparations intensify for a Rugby World Cup for which England expects. Mitchell's squad came together at the start of June; they will not properly disperse, they hope, until after a trophy is lifted at Twickenham on 27 September. A team that has been unbeaten since World Cup final heartbreak in Auckland are fully focussed on ensuring they go one better this time around. If the New Zealander's appointment raised eyebrows in 2023 – Mitchell had never worked in the women's game – it was for this period that he was so coveted as England prepare for a tournament that, for many reasons, they will feel they have to win. 'I think people see it as an easy team to coach and that might look like that from the results,' Mitchell explains, having not yet lost in the job. 'But to me it's a very challenging programme that gets me up every morning. 'They give you a lot of energy back. They're highly driven. They're highly competitive. They don't like sitting second in the pecking order. 'They all want to make it. They all want to get better. And I think they're hungry as well because they haven't got something done in 11 years. So to be part of that and to lead that means I've got to pay attention to where the team needs to improve.' Mitchell's desire to lead a programme again was a key factor in his desire to take on the role; it helped, too, that he was based in Surrey and already familiar with the English ecosystem from two stints as an assistant with the men's team. He emerged as the chosen candidate to take the Red Roses into the World Cup with something of an outsider's edge, the 61-year-old carrying with him no preconceptions of the job he was about to take on but the experience of a broad coaching career that began almost three decades ago. His buy-in since taking the role has been clear; the bucket hat is a nod to that. In his time as coach, Mitchell has popped up in TikTok videos and been greeted by a Being John Malkovich-esque room full of cut-outs of his head. It is a culture rather different to that which he oversaw with the All Blacks at the turn of the century – yet the squad all suggest they have been encouraged to embrace and celebrate their somewhat idiosyncratic identities. The scrutiny heightens, though, as the World Cup looms ever larger and the focus will be on ensuring a side unbeaten in their last 25 games remains ahead of the chasing pack. Mitchell, and England, are not yet considering the threats that Canada, New Zealand or France might pose, knowing that they have to get out of the group first, but setting standards has been a consistent motivating force in recent years. Their preparations for the tournament will include a trip to Treviso, the sort of warm-weather camp now commonplace for men's sides ahead of a World Cup but believed to be the first of its kind for England's women. Having made clarity of communication a priority in his tenure, most of Mitchell's players will know by the time they arrive back from Italy on 12 July where the stand in the pecking order before the official World Cup squad is named 12 days later. 'It will probably be our most uncomfortable training camp of all of them because it will be hot and you'll get bothered,' Mitchell says of the week in Treviso. 'The amount that we've layered on our game will put them under a lot of questions through scenarios, the unfairness that comes in the games through cards, those sorts of things. The play to rest ratios will be probably a little bit lower as well. 'I think it's really important to go away from your country and that will create connection as well. The heat will in itself create its own duress. I'd rather be ready for every eventuality. If we don't create that exposure then we're probably going to let ourselves down, like the last World Cup [where England's Lydia Thompson was sent off in the first half].' Mitchell will balance the need to develop cohesion with getting minutes into his wider squad in two warm-up games against Spain and France ahead of the opening fixture of the World Cup against the United States in Sunderland on 22 August. After defence coach Sarah Hunter 's return from maternity leave, it is a settled staff with no further additions planned before the tournament. A strong CV possessed by the Kiwi coach does have one glaring omission. Mitchell is yet to be part of a World Cup win, his All Blacks in 2003 undone by Australia and, a little, themselves at the semi-final stage and Eddie Jones's England beaten by South Africa in the final in 2019 while Mitchell was overseeing their defence. This would appear a golden opportunity to correct the record – though he insists his focus is fully on the team. 'I think I've been in that position where you individually put yourself first,' Mitchell admits. 'I think what the game has taught me the older I've gotten is that you just put yourself second, and just control what you can control, and deal with whatever happens. Ultimately, I think when you do that, you enjoy it more and there's less pressure on yourself to do that. 'This team's attracted to consistency. It's not in a hurry to give that up. It knows it's going to be challenged in its home World Cup and we know that we've got to earn the right to contest the final. There's plenty to do and that's why we're working hard into the tournament.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Farrell not considered for England tour
Coach Steve Borthwick says he will allow Owen Farrell to settle back into life at Saracens this summer, rather than calling him up for an immediate return to England 33, has signed a two-year deal with Premiership side Saracens, ending his stint at French side Racing 92 and bringing him back into England July, Borthwick's side will take on Argentina away in two Tests before a one-off match against the United States in will do so without 13 first-choice players who have been selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of Borthwick says he won't rush Farrell, who has 112 appearances for England, back to fortify the the experienced George Ford is on tour, uncapped Charlie Atkinson is the back-up specialist fly-half. Farrell can also play in midfield, where England are without the injured Ollie Lawrence and Fraser Dingwall"No, he wasn't part of the plan," said Borthwick, when asked by Rugby Union Weekly whether Farrell had been under consideration for the summer."Owen has been on record saying he just wants to get back playing and get settled with his family back in Hertfordshire, and we wish him all the best with that." Borthwick, who captained Farrell at Saracens at the tail end of his own career, said he had been in regular contact with him during a spell in Paris which was blighted by injury and upheaval among the club's coaching have a policy of only selecting those playing their club rugby within the Racing team-mate Henry Arundell is also moving back to the Premiership next season, having agreed a move to champions Bath."Hopefully there will be more players coming back because we want our league to be the strongest and the very best," said Borthwick. Woki cleared of Twickenham clear-out red Meanwhile France flanker Cameron Woki has been cleared to play immediately after a foul-play review committee ruled that he should not have been sent off in the win over an England XV at Allianz Stadium on was shown a yellow card after he made contact with Jamie George's head while clearing a ruck early in the second half, which television match official Mike Adamson reviewed and upgraded to a 20-minute red a three-person panel, part of a new streamlined disciplinary process being trialled for the first time, reassessed the incident and disagreed that Woki's action constituted a high degree of has been named in the France squad for a three-Test series against New Zealand this summer. Leinster's veteran prop Rabah Slimani, who appeared in a France shirt for the first time in nearly six years at Twickenham at the weekend, is also to five players from Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles, who are contesting this weekend's Top 14 final, can be added to the squad later as part of an agreement between French federation and their top-flight clubs.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
World Cup finalist Shaunagh Brown even more excited by home event
By Laura Howard, Sportsbeat While Shaunagh Brown represented England in the 2021 Rugby World Cup final, she insists she is even more excited for this summer with England set for a home World Cup. The former Red Rose and Harlequins player amassed 30 international caps and featured in England's agonising 34-31 defeat to New Zealand in the World Cup final in Auckland in 2021. Advertisement But though she will not be donning the white shirt this time out, the prospect of sell-out stadiums and a boom in visibility means Brown is more excited than ever for the summer ahead. 'I am looking forward to this World Cup more than I did the one I actually played in because it's at home,' said the prop. 'I've been part of the build-up, I've been on the trophy tour, I've been to the volunteer kick-off events and the buzz is unreal. 'The ticket sales just keep going up and up and the number of conversations I have with people telling me that they can't get tickets. That's incredible news because you're making them hot property if you can't get something, you want it even more. Advertisement 'I'm really excited to see how England perform.' Though New Zealand got the better of the Red Roses on their territory four years ago, Brown believes that hosting the tournament English soil can help them over the line to produce a moment akin to the Lionesses victory at Euro 2022. More importantly, though, she wants to see sporting bodies and authorities ensure momentum from the tournament is captured to keep shifting attitudes towards women's rugby. 'I still move in circles where people don't really know what rugby is and think it is just a sport that posh white boys do,' Brown explained. 'I hope we will get a Lionesses' moment, and I really hope England win the World Cup but it's all about the build-up, the tournament doing it right and local authorities getting involved. Advertisement 'It'll be people seeing, hearing, and realising that most people can play rugby and you don't have to be from a certain school or certain background or look a particular way. 'If you look at a lineup of a rugby team there's such a variation in shape, size, skin colour and hair type and you think, 'Oh maybe rugby is for me. Maybe I can do that. She looks like me, she sounds like me, maybe I can give it a go.'' The importance of role models was brought home to Brown as she spoke on the final day of the Youth Sport Trust's National School Sports Week at Torriano Primary School in Camden. Alongside Olympic sprinter Montell Douglas and Paralympic footballer Alistair Patrick-Heselton, Brown got involved in a carousel of different activities led by the pupils as they celebrated the importance of being active. Advertisement Torriano encourages activity everyday with pupils wearing active footwear and no uniform so that they are able to hit their recommended 60 minutes of activity each day. Brown and her sporting peers also participated in a Q&A to inspire the Torriano pupils, who were dressed up as their sporting heroes for Sports Star Friday. 'We want people to participate, we want people to enjoy winning but as a mass group of children and in a whole generation we just want to encourage movement,' explained Brown. 'I'm very passionate about the active uniform principle. It's about not making it a big thing that you have to get changed into your PE kit before you can run. Advertisement 'Actually, just make activity a normal part of their everyday with no barriers. They're in the playground because they've got trainers on so they can just run around.' National School Sports Week is an annual campaign by the Youth Sport Trust, dedicated to celebrating the power of PE, sport, and play to build brighter futures. This year, powered by Sports Direct x Under Armour, marks the 30th anniversary of the Youth Sport Trust, who is a UK leading children's charity for improving young people's wellbeing through sport and play. Visit
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso included in England squad despite ban after high tackle
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has earned inclusion in a 36-man England squad to travel to Argentina and the United States despite being banned for the first two matches of the tour. The wing has been given a two-match suspension after being sent off for a high tackle in the England XV fixture against France. Advertisement It means the 22-year-old will miss the two Tests against the Pumas, though Steve Borthwick has still elected to take him to the Americas with a view to featuring against the USA in Washington on Saturday 19 July. Feyi-Waboso had not played since December due to injury before starting in the 26-24 defeat at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday. There are 10 uncapped inclusions in a group of 20 forwards and 16 caps, including Premiership-winning Bath trio Guy Pepper, Max Ojomoh and Will Muir. Gloucester's Charlie Atkinson, Arthur Clark and Seb Atkinson will also press for debuts, along with Northampton's Emmanuel Iyogun, Sale's Joe Carpenter and Harlequins centres Luke Northmore and Oscar Beard. Advertisement Hooker Jamie George and fly half George Ford have been named as co-captain with the latter in line to win his 100th international cap in the first Test in Buenos Aires on 5 July. 'The three-Test series is a huge challenge and a valuable opportunity for the continued development of this squad,' said head coach Borthwick. George Ford is in line to win his 100th cap (Getty Images) 'For some of the younger players, this will be their first experience of touring overseas with England. Travelling together helps strengthen team bonds and offers a valuable chance for new players to integrate into our environment. 'It's an exciting test for us, and we're looking forward to seeing how we continue to evolve as a team.' Advertisement Openside flanker Sam Underhill and centre Henry Slade are among the other experienced inclusions in a young squad named in the absence of England's Lions contingent. England's 36-player squad Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 11 caps) Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped) Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 7 caps) Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 15 caps) Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 11 caps) Theo Dan (Saracens, 17 caps) Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 2 caps) Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 20 caps) Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 31 caps) Jamie George (Saracens, 101 caps) – co-captain Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 12 caps) Advertisement Ted Hill (Bath Rugby, 4 caps) Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 15 caps) Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Curtis Langdon (Northampton Saints, 2 caps) Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 1 cap) Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, uncapped) Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 7 caps) Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 40 caps) Tom Willis (Saracens, 6 caps) Backs: Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped) Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped) Oscar Beard (Harlequins, uncapped) Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks, uncapped) Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 8 caps) George Ford (Sale Sharks, 99 caps) – co-captain Will Muir (Bath Rugby, uncapped) Advertisement Cadan Murley (Harlequins, 1 cap) Luke Northmore (Harlequins, uncapped) Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, uncapped) Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 13 caps) Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 4 caps) Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 72 caps) Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 8 caps) Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 36 caps) Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps) Not considered for selection: Joe Batley (Bristol Bears), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), George Martin (Leicester Tigers), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints).
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso picked for England tour despite two-match ban
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been included in England's squad for the summer tour of Argentina and the US despite a suspension that rules him out of two of the three fixtures. Feyi-Waboso was sent off after 33 minutes of his first appearance in six months during an England XV's 26-24 defeat by France at Twickenham on Saturday. He endured a torrid comeback, twice dropping the ball before he was sent to the sin-bin for his clothesline tackle on the French fly-half Antoine Hastoy – his yellow card subsequently upgraded to red. Advertisement On Sunday, Feyi-Waboso was handed a three-match ban, which will be reduced to two provided he completes 'tackle school'. As a result, the 22-year-old wing misses the two Tests against Argentina next month but is available to face USA in Washington. Related: Lions warn Joe Schmidt over Wallabies player release for tour matches If his inclusion in the 36-man squad – co-captained by Jamie George and George Ford – is a surprise, it demonstrates just how important a player Steve Borthwick considers Feyi-Waboso. Before last Saturday, he had not played since December because of a shoulder injury after his return was delayed amid confusion as to whether he would undergo surgery. It is understood, however, that Borthwick sees value in having Feyi-Waboso with the squad in Argentina with an eye on the future as well as to provide competition to the other wings in training with Will Muir, Cadan Murley and Tom Roebuck selected. Feyi-Waboso's inclusion means he will stay fresh should the British & Irish Lions come calling but, as things stand, his ban does not expire until after Andy Farrell's side have played their first Test against Australia. Advertisement Feyi-Waboso was handed an enhanced contract by the Rugby Football Union last October and is sure to be on the list that Borthwick names after the summer tour. That England do not have their usual week's training camp before their autumn Tests may also explain why the head coach believes Feyi-Waboso warrants a place in the summer squad. Forwards (20): F Baxter (Harlequins), A Clark (Gloucester), A Coles (Northampton), C Cunningham-South (Harlequins), B Curry (Sale), T Dan (Saracens), T Davison (Northampton), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), C Ewels (Bath), J George (Saracens, co-capt), J Heyes (Leicester), T Hill (Bath), N Isiekwe (Saracens), E Iyogun (Northampton) C Langdon (Northampton), A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), G Pepper (Bath), B Rodd (Sale), S Underhill (Bath), T Willis (Saracens). Backs (16): C Atkinson (Gloucester), S Atkinson (Gloucester), O Beard (Harlequins), J Carpenter (Sale), I Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), G Ford (Sale, co-capt), W Muir (Bath), C Murley (Harlequins), L Northmore (Harlequins), M Ojomoh (Bath), H Randall (Bristol), T Roebuck (Sale), H Slade (Exeter), B Spencer (Bath), F Steward (Leicester), J van Poortvliet (Leicester). Elsewhere, Borthwick has made two changes to the squad that was announced last Monday to prepare for the fixture last weekend. Ben Curry comes in for Jack Kenningham while Raffi Quirke is replaced by Harry Randall. Both Curry and Randall were with the squad for rehabilitation last week but have been deemed fit to make the touring party. George Furbank and Fraser Dingwall were also rehabbing last week but have not been considered for selection. Advertisement In total, Borthwick has selected 10 uncapped players with Muir joined by Bath teammates Max Ojomoh and Guy Pepper. The Gloucester trio of Seb Atkinson, Charlie Atkinson and Arthur Clark are also selected along with Oscar Beard, Joe Carpenter, Luke Northmore and Emmanuel Iyogun. 'The three-Test series is a huge challenge and a valuable opportunity for the continued development of this squad,' Borthwick said. 'For some of the younger players, this will be their first experience of touring overseas with England. Travelling together helps strengthen team bonds and offers a valuable chance for new players to integrate into our environment.'
