‘We had to win it 9 times’: John Mitchell on England's Grand Slam epic

John Mitchell was unhappy with England’s defensive display in their Grand Slam-clinching victory against France but said the Guinness Women’s Six Nations decider had been the “ideal” test for his side.

England raced into a 31-7 lead inside 25 minutes at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham but conceded six tries and were left clinging on at the end of an absorbing contest they eventually won 43-42.

The victory gave the Red Roses a seventh successive championship crown and fourth consecutive Grand Slam.

Fixture

Womens Six Nations

England Women

43 - 42

Full-time

France Women

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Mitchell’s side have now won 25 matches in a row since their World Cup final defeat to New Zealand in Auckland in November 2022 as they prepare to host the showpiece tournament this August and September.

“It was ideal for us,” Mitchell insisted. “After a really good start we could have put them away, but they got energy through the middle of us and once a French side gets that energy, they eye success.

“So, we always talked about the fact that we probably had to win the game three or four times. I think we had to win it nine times.

“I wasn’t happy with the defence. I thought they got through us too easy through the middle. We adjusted that at half time, but the edge of the defence was not up to standard.”

France could potentially provide England’s semi-final opposition at the World Cup. Mitchell added: “The Red Roses is a unique team right at the minute and has been for a while, but teams are allowed to perform against us.

“That’s something that will happen and will continue to happen in ‘25. So, it’s just going to help us raise our game. We’re gonna have to raise our game, which is very really clear.”
Mitchell has used the Six Nations to test squad depth and combinations, and he was happy to have given some more players an experience of playing in front of a big crowd in Twickenham.

“In the coaching meeting this morning, we worked out that after today 95 per cent of the girls that are likely to go to the World Cup have all had experience of playing in the stadium,” he said.

“Before this game, that that wouldn’t have been the case. That has definitely been a situation that we’ve planned for as well to make sure that the broader group had an experience here and now we’ve got a chance to enjoy ourselves on a break and come back and earn the right to contest here again.”