Nottingham Guardian - England still have 'another peak to climb' after Women's Rugby World Cup triumph

Saturday's 33-13 victory in front of a sold-out crowd of 81,885 -- a new high for a women's rugby match -- at their Twickenham headquarters extended England's record run to 33 wins in a row.

They have now won a remarkable 63 of their last 64 games in total, with the only flaw in that sequence a defeat by Mitchell's native New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 Women's World Cup final in Auckland.

But Mitchell, speaking at England's squad hotel on Sunday, insisted there would be no problems in finding fresh motivation for his world number one-ranked side after they outscored Canada, second in the standings, five tries to two.

"I just think, yeah, we're probably no different to most explorers in the world," said Mitchell, who was named World Rugby's women's coach of the year after the final.

"They always find another peak to climb, and I think we will," he added.

Mitchell, a former coach of New Zealand's men's All Blacks and the England defence chief when they were beaten in the 2019 men's World Cup final by South Africa, was in no doubt that guiding England to their third women's world title and first in 11 years was a career highlight.

"It's huge. Like the girls said, there's some parts of the day that will stick in my life forever," he said.

"I remember when we got off the bus and we were walking in (to Twickenham), I just had a quick glance at the South Stand and that place was just spilling with people. I've never seen that before."

- 'Changed my life' -

The 61-year-old added: "But also to be associated with these girls is that they're driven, they've changed my life and changed the way I think as well."

Asked what had changed exactly Mitchell, brought into the England women's set-up following their 2022 final defeat with the specific aim of winning the World Cup, replied: "Well, the thing is that I've spent most of my career in the men's game and it's a bias, isn't it?

"It's the only reference that I've ever had and to then get the opportunity to coach these girls...You've got to observe, you've got to listen and you've got to find ways that make them tick.

"I think the advice for any male (coaching in women's sport) is give the women the chance to express themselves.

"And I think that's probably the thing that I've allowed the girls to do, is allow them to express themselves."

Mitchell, whose contract runs until the end of the 2026 Women's Six Nations, was non-committal about his future.

"We've got a Six Nations in April, but I've got plenty of time to think about it as well," he said.

England have a victory party in London later Sunday, but captain Zoe Aldcroft, who went 13 months without an alcoholic drink until after Saturday's success, said there was still so much more for them to achieve.

"After we've had our celebrations, this chapter will close," she said. "And then it's about bringing in the next generation of Red Roses."

The flanker added: "We're very competitive people and we want to be at the top of our game always. We've won the World Cup but in a few weeks time we'll be back in the PWR (Premiership Women's Rugby) and wanting to fight for our clubs.

"The drive to keep pushing and get better never stops."

For England lock Abbie Ward, Saturday's success was all the more memorable for having her daughter Hallie in the crowd.

"It's incredibly inspirational to have my daughter there and she's driven me to this whole last two years, it's been amazing.

"But I think the wider picture is how everyone's daughters have driven us and we wear the T-shirts that say 'for the girls' and it really is."

M.Sullivanv--NG