‘Whole and meaningful’: Red Roses coach John Mitchell becomes British citizen

• New Zealand-born Mitchell became UK national in July

• England ready for revamped WXV tournament

England women’s World Cup-winning coach, John Mitchell, has revealed he became a UK citizen in July after a six-year process. He said it would make representing the country on a sporting stage “very whole and meaningful”. Mitchell, who is from New Zealand and coached the All Blacks at the 2003 men’s World Cup, said he “belted out” the national anthem in his final citizenship test and that his time in English rugby was a motivation in his decision.

“I am very happy to be a British citizen,” he said. “More importantly, I am very happy to be an English citizen because rugby isn’t who I am, it’s what I do, but it does play a big part in my life.