Sir Clive Woodward: England's dominant women's team have been exceptional and I'm backing them to go all the way in this World Cup - but there's one change I'd like to see

I firmly believe the female game is rugby’s best avenue for growth, at a time when the sport as a whole is experiencing a number of financial problems.

I’ve been critical of the RFU’s leadership on many issues, one being the travesty of scrapping the women’s sevens programme.

But they have led the way globally by investing significantly in the women’s 15-a-side game and they have reaped the rewards of that.

I firmly expect England to get the better of France on Saturday and reach the final at what will be a sold-out Twickenham. That promises to be some occasion.

When I look at the women’s game in England, I see only good things. They have exceptional players and strength in depth with new, younger talent coming through. The RFU have hosted a brilliant World Cup, where there have been strong crowds.

Yes, there have been a number of mismatches, especially in the pool stages. But that doesn’t seem to have detracted from the enjoyment of those in attendance.

It seems clear to me there is a significant difference in the make-up of the crowds which go to men’s and women’s matches and that can only be a good thing, bringing in new audiences.

From England’s perspective, there is one thing missing, however, and that is a female coach.

John Mitchell is an excellent coach and a good guy. He hasn’t lost a game since taking charge. Indeed, England’s last defeat was the 2022 World Cup final, and since then, the Red Roses have racked up a world-record winning sequence of 31 matches.

But for all Mitchell’s success, I think the RFU missed a significant trick by not appointing a woman when Simon Middleton departed two years ago.

Please do not tell me that there were no female coaches good enough. For me, a huge part of the reason the Lionesses have not only become a winning machine, but also had such a feeling of goodwill behind them, has been the fact they’ve also had a female coach.

Whether you like it or not, the coach takes much of the limelight and kudos. To really develop women’s sport, a massive emphasis must be put on employing female coaches as they are seen and heard more than any player. If you look at this summer’s European Championship in football, as well as this World Cup, many of the teams are coached by men.

Clearly, Sarina Wiegman is a fantastic football coach. But as a woman, she has not only got the best out of her players but also developed a real sense of following behind the Lionesses.

England will most likely taste rugby glory under Mitchell. It’s tough for me to see anyone beating them. However, I think New Zealand are a very dangerous side and could yet upset the apple cart in the final, as they did three years ago.

Whatever happens, I think it’s paramount that in the next World Cup cycle, the RFU look to appoint a female coach to the women’s team. 

Mitchell is contracted through to June 2026, so change is unlikely to happen before then, but women’s rugby players need to know there is no glass ceiling for them after playing.

Unfortunately, that is something we still see in many walks of life. They need to be encouraged in every way to go into coaching post-playing and this aspiration is undermined by continually appointing men to coach them. The long-term planning should already be underway.

Jo Yapp, the former England captain who coached Australia at this World Cup but is now on the lookout for a new job, would be a fine appointment moving forward.

I would be fascinated to know what the RFU’s pathway is for women coaches and with Mitchell’s experience, whether developing them to one day fill his boots is also part of his remit.

For now, that can wait. England have to focus on France. The biting storm that has engulfed the French won’t help them.

There is no place in rugby for such incidents and I was appalled to see that take place in the France-Ireland quarter-final. Axelle Berthoumieu, the culprit, has correctly been given a lengthy nine-match ban for her actions.

England beat France comfortably in their World Cup warm-up clash away from home. The Red Roses haven’t been tested at all in the tournament so far and even at the semi-final stage, they should be confident of victory. Even more so with star player Ellie Kildunne back from concussion.

England have the ability to play several different ways. Their players have been professional the longest, so their power and fitness is ahead of what their rivals can offer. But they can also play at breakneck speed behind the scrum through the likes of Kildunne, who is simply a wonderful player.

With the final in mind, however, I do have a few concerns. From what I’ve seen of New Zealand, they are a real threat. But first, they do have to get past Canada in their semi.

The Black Ferns can play just as quick as England – if not quicker – and more importantly, have had a couple of real tough games. They will be battle-hardened going into the final and will be tough opponents.

England should still have enough to come out on top, but victory is far from guaranteed.