**Red Roses’ Claudia MacDonald Hails John Mitchell’s Transformative Leadership Ahead of World Cup Campaign**
England’s Red Roses have set their sights firmly on World Cup triumph, with influential winger Claudia MacDonald voicing her confidence in head coach John Mitchell’s leadership. With just weeks remaining until the global showpiece, MacDonald believes the former All Blacks boss has instilled the right mentality in a squad determined to reclaim a title that has eluded them for over a decade.
John Mitchell, who took charge at the Dawn of 2023, has already made an indelible mark on English women’s rugby. The 61-year-old coach inherited a talented group but has since guided the team to an impressive streak of back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slam titles. Their dominant run, marked by a remarkable 25 straight victories, has propelled them to the summit of the world rankings, yet memories of their defeat to New Zealand in the 2022 final still linger.
For MacDonald, it is Mitchell’s distinctive approach and honesty that have proved most influential. “John Mitchell has changed the game for us,” she explained in an interview linked to the Red Roses’ recent partnership activities. “At this stage, having the right coach means everything—and he brings exactly what we need. He’s deeply sincere, a real character, and does things that remind us he’s human too. That atmosphere allows us to let go of perfection and focus on evolving as a group.”
According to MacDonald, the head coach’s willingness to embrace mistakes as essential to progress has been a refreshing change for this ambitious England squad. “Of course, we all strive for excellence, but his openness reduces the pressure to never slip up. He values our errors as much as he celebrates our successes, and that is a significant shift for us. We now feel able to reach for new heights, comfortable that learning from errors can make us stronger for the challenges ahead.”
The anticipation for this summer’s World Cup extends beyond the hopes of silverware. MacDonald is passionate about what England’s campaign could mean for the broader women’s game, particularly with the entire tournament set to broadcast on free-to-air television across Britain. “Having the games accessible on live TV is absolutely massive,” she said. “It helps introduce our sport to so many new people. Whenever fans give women’s rugby a chance, their feedback is almost always overwhelmingly positive.”
Visibility remains a key concern for the sport, but the Red Roses winger is optimistic that the increased airtime will help encourage the next generation of supporters and future players. “When a game is on in the middle of the day, people can just stumble upon it and become hooked. That exposure could help us continue to break new ground for women’s rugby,” she remarked.
For MacDonald personally, this summer’s competition also represents a poignant milestone. The Exeter Chiefs speedster has endured several significant setbacks in recent years, with two major spells sidelined by neck injuries. The trauma left her on the brink of retirement and, by her own admission, reticent even to be near the pitch. Now, with a clean bill of health and renewed determination, MacDonald is eager to contribute on rugby’s biggest stage after missing out on the last World Cup.
“I love the camaraderie and spirit in this squad,” MacDonald shared, referencing the unity and hard work in England’s training environment. “Being with the team, pushing ourselves through the hard times, is what makes us stronger. It feels incredible to be back, and I hope to give my best for the country.”
Off the pitch, the squad has been equally busy inspiring the next generation. In recent weeks, MacDonald and several teammates participated in a training day at Turing House School in Richmond as part of LG’s ongoing commitment to women’s sport. The brand’s ‘All In Pledge’ with the Rugby Football Union encourages fans to engage with and support female athletes, with the aim of growing the sport’s profile and inspiring youngsters to get involved.
As England’s World Cup challenge draws nearer, the Red Roses—bolstered by Mitchell’s pragmatic leadership and an invigorated sense of purpose—look poised not only to contest for the sport’s top honour but to further the standing of women’s rugby on a national scale. For followers of the game, this promises to be a summer to remember.