John Mitchell scoops Coach of the Year award after World Cup victory

Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has scooped World Rugby’s Coach of the Year award for 2025 after leading England to victory in the women’s Rugby World Cup over Canada.

The early announcement came directly after England’s 33-13 win in the final, which completed a perfect year for the Roses after taking out this year’s women’s Six Nations.

England are yet to be defeated under Mitchell’s reign which extends to 33 games in a row.

A perfect year capped off with the ultimate prize 🏆🌹

Canada captain Alex Tessier on being the dark horse in RWC

Canada captain Alex Tessier on being the dark horse in RWC

Congratulations to John Mitchell, World Rugby Coach of the Year 2025#WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/9jt242ytSk

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) September 27, 2025

The former All Black head coach became the fifth New Zealander to win the award behind Graham Henry (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011), Sir Steve Hansen (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016), Joe Schmidt (2018) and Wayne Smith (2022).

Mitchell is also the third women’s coach to win behind his predecessor Simon Middleton (2021) and Smith (2022).

“It’s not really so much about me,” he said after his side’s win. “I’m the old bugger that’s been going for 30 years. You get some and you don’t get some.

“I am so pleased that these girls have realised their potential. This has been a very good team for a long time, but I think they deserve to be termed a great side today. They’re a phenomenal group.”

Last year, French sevens coach Jérôme Daret took the award for coaching France to an Olympic gold medal at the Paris games.

World Rugby also announced a number of the women’s 15s awards at the conclusion of the 2025 Rugby World Cup.

Canada’s Sophie de Goede was named World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, while New Zealand’s teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee took the Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year.