John Mitchell is named new England women’s rugby union team head coach

John Mitchell has been appointed head coach of the England women’s team and will begin the role this autumn after the men’s Rugby World Cup.

The 59-year-old is currently defence coach for the Japan men’s team and will succeed Simon Middleton with the Red Roses, whose final match in charge was last Saturday’s Six Nations grand slam-clinching victory against France.

The men’s World Cup final is on 28 October but Mitchell’s start date will depend on Japan’s fortunes at the tournament. Following successive Women’s Rugby World Cup final defeats under Middleton, the Kiwi’s primary focus will be the 2025 tournament, hosted by England.

Mitchell twice held coaching positions with England’s men, most recently as defence coach under Eddie Jones from 2018-21. His coaching CV includes spells in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the USA.

In a statement released by the Rugby Football Union on Thursday, Mitchell said: “The Red Roses have set an incredible standard and foundation for women’s rugby, being the most successful team in the Six Nations which is a tremendous achievement, and we now have the opportunity to build on this, mature in key areas and become a truly champion side that can rightfully contest for the World Cup in 2025.

“I would like to honour the hugely supportive Red Roses fans with successful performances as we work towards winning and selling out Twickenham Stadium for the Rugby World Cup in 2025.”

Sarah Hunter, who retired as an England player in March, will stay with the setup as a coach. Photograph: George Wood/RFU/The RFU Collection/Getty Images

Louis Deacon, the former England and Leicester lock, stays as forwards coach and will lead the team until Mitchell’s arrival while Sarah Hunter, the Red Roses’ most-capped player who retired in March, is appointed transition coach.

The RFU statement said Hunter will “work with both the senior women’s team and pathway programme.” Lou Meadows becomes attack coach for the senior team, departing her role as under-20s head coach, while Charlie Hayter is the new head of women’s performance.

The RFU executive director of performance rugby, Conor O’Shea, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming John back to England Rugby … this will be a formidable coaching team to take the Red Roses to the next stage in their development.”

Before his spell with England’s men under Jones, Mitchell was forwards coach from 1997-2000. He was appointed All Blacks head coach in 2001 and led New Zealand to third at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, departing after a semi-final defeat by the Wallabies.