England manager Simon Middleton says ‘the right person’ would be best to replace him

Simon Middleton Says ‘the right person will be the best’ as his successor England Head coach for both men and women.

Middleton resigns after girls Six Nations grand slam showdown France at Twickenham on Saturday.

During his time at the helm, England reached two World Cup finals, won five Six Nations titles and four Grand Slams.

The Red Roses also went on a 30-game unbeaten streak after losing to New Zealand in last year’s World Cup final.

Salina Wiegman Leading the Lionesses of England to success at the Women’s Euro 2022. There are many in English rugby wanting a female appointment after Middleton.

“We have a very good coach/director of rugby-style women in this game,” said Middleton.

“Gisele Mather (Ealing Trailfinders Director of Rugby), Joe Yap (Worcester women’s head coach) and Susie Appleby (Exeter Chiefs head coach) are among them.

“A lot of it has to do with the team you build around yourself and how you manage that team of staff. The right people make the best people.”

England captain Marley Packer, who captained England in front of a record crowd of over 53,000 in the women’s game on Saturday, added:

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a woman. I think it’s the same for most teams.

“We just want to be pushed as players to be the best player we can be. ”

Middleton and Packer’s immediate focus will be on completing another Six Nations clean sweep, ending the tournament with Red Rose scoring 233 points and conceding just 15 so far.

However, France is also undefeated and promises to be a thrilling spectacle as Middleton bids farewell.

“The size of the game this weekend is potentially a huge distraction from everything else,” he said.

“It’s been a real honor to be a part of it and I’m desperate to finish it the right way on Saturday.

“What we want is more opportunities like this. to put pressure on you to do so.”

Middleton have made four changes from the side that beat Ireland 48-0 in Cork last weekend.

Center Helena Rolland made her first start against the Six Nations and has teamed up with Tatiana Hurd in midfield. Scrum-half Lucy Packer, hooker Lark Davis and prop Sarah Byrne also make an appearance.

Meanwhile, Packer has eased his fitness anxiety after an injury in Ireland and is packing up with back-row colleagues Sadia Kabaya and Alex Matthews.

“It’s going to be a very special occasion,” added Packer. “Leading a team to the decider of the Six Nations Grand Slam is going to be epic.

“Simon leaves a huge legacy. The group has a lot of respect for him and what he did for us as a group and for the women’s game.

“When he told me he was leaving, I hugged him and said, ‘Okay, let’s go win this Six Nations, let’s get it right.'”

England team to face France

team: E Kildunne (Saracens); A Dow (Harlequins), H Rowland (Loughborough), T Hurd (Gloucester Hartpury), C McDonald (Exeter). H Aitchison (Saracens), L Packer (Harlequins); H Botterman (Saracens), L Davies (Bristol), S Bern (Bristol), Z Aldcroft (Gloucester Hartpley), S Beckett (Gloucester Hartpley), S Kabeya (Loughborough), M Packer (Saracen, captain), A Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpri).

Replacement: C Powell (Gloucester Hartpri), M Carson (Saracens), M Muir (Gloucester Hartpri), P Creole (Saracens), N Tarling (Loughborough), N Hunt (Gloucester Hartpri), A Reid (Bristol), J Breach (Saracens) Man).