New-look Red Roses face same Women’s Six Nations question: Can anyone stop them?

The eagle-eyed watchers of the Red Roses , of which John Mitchell may now count himself one, may notice something different about the England head coach as his side return to action for the first time since Rugby World Cup glory. The six-and-a-bit months since that fabulous September day have been useful time for repair and recuperation – cataract surgery, one of a number undergone by the affable New Zealander recently, means there is no longer a need for the famous clear-framed spectacles from behind which he oversaw England’s Twickenham triumph. New World Cup cycle, new perspective?

Certainly, it is not just the head coach of the world champions that looks different. Of the victorious 32 players, wing Abby Dow and centre Emily Scarratt have retired, with the latter moving into Mitchell’s coaching staff ; injury has accounted for Tatyana Heard’s campaign , and possibly Hannah Botterman’s too; and pregnancies rule out captain Zoe Stratford, Rosie Galligan, Abbie Ward and Lark Atkin-Davies. Opportunities, it would seem, abound within a team seeking an eighth straight Women’s Six Nations success.

England lifted the World Cup on home soil in September (Getty Images) “I think this team has probably already built a legacy,” Mitchell said after naming his first team of the tournament to face Ireland. “I guess there's an opportunity to build a dynasty but we're going to have to earn that right. It also won't hurt if we don't get it right occasionally.

“Over the next two years, there's a lot of girls becoming mums, which is fantastic. There's a Lions tour in 2027 so there's a lot of factors that will distract our girls along the way, so we've just got to be where our feet are and remain focused. ” John Mitchell (right) has appointed Meg Jones as stand-in skipper for the pregnant Zoe Aldcroft (Getty Images) The pace of change within the women’s game is clear from England’s opener.