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This was the Red Roses’ third Grand Slam in a row, but the growing influence of Mitchell on England’s attack has been evident throughout this tournament.<\/p>\n
The New Zealander is looking to move the team away from their more forward-oriented style under Simon Middleton, who led the side to Grand Slams in 2022 and 2023 and the World Cup final, and towards a more balanced approach.<\/p>\n
The Red Roses scored 14 tries against Ireland<\/a> last weekend, with full-back Ellie Kildunne and winger Abby Dow both completing hat-tricks as Mitchell’s desire to unleash his talented backs clicked in ruthless style.<\/p>\n However, at a packed Stade Chaban-Delmas centre Megan Jones was the only back to touch down as the forwards not only fronted up to a massive French pack but grabbed five out of the visitors’ six tries.<\/p>\n “When I interviewed for the job the diagnosis was that as good as we were, there was a divorce between the forward pack and backs – and I think we have merged them quite nicely,” Mitchell told BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly.<\/a><\/p>\n “I have challenged the players in the way they think about the game and they are growing in that space as well. I think it is a good environment.”<\/p>\n On the environment, captain Marlie Packer told BBC One: “We have been building as a group on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n “We are well and truly into a John Mitchell era – we will keep growing as a group.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n