England head coach John Mitchell has emphasized that the team’s campaign in the WXV competition is already the beginning of their preparations for the 2029 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The Red Roses are set to face Canada on September 26 at Sandy Park in Exeter, revisiting last year’s World Cup final where England secured a 33-13 victory.

Following the match against Canada, England’s schedule includes a game against New Zealand at Twickenham, after which the squad will travel to North America for two additional matches against Canada in Toronto and Ottawa. The series will conclude with a fixture against the United States in New Jersey. Mitchell highlighted the importance of these travel demands as a factor in selecting the squad members who will be contenders for the World Cup in Australia.

“You are auditioning for Australia because we are definitely going to be travelling some distance there,” Mitchell said, underscoring the significance of adaptability and endurance in the team’s long-term planning.

Last week England delivered a commanding 48-15 win over Australia in Manchester. However, Mitchell anticipates a more challenging encounter against Canada, currently ranked third in the world, and as a result, he has made several line-up adjustments. No. 8 Alex Matthews, who scored two tries in last year’s World Cup final, returns to the starting XV, alongside Hannah Botterman, who is back at prop. The return of wing Jess Breach means 14 of the 23 players from the 2022 World Cup final are included in the squad for this series of matches.

These fixtures not only serve as important competitive tests but also provide Mitchell with opportunities to evaluate players under conditions similar to those expected at the next World Cup, particularly the rigors associated with international travel. The ongoing WXV campaign is therefore a key element in England’s strategy as they build towards the 2029 tournament in Australia.