England Women’s Rugby Team Prepares for World Cup in Treviso, Italy
In July 2025, the England women’s rugby team, known as the Red Roses, will hold their final training camp in Treviso, Italy, ahead of the Rugby World Cup. This marks a significant milestone as it’s the first time the team has trained abroad.
Head coach Simon Mitchell is bracing his squad for an intense experience, emphasizing that the camp will test their resilience in challenging conditions. “The heat alone will present its own set of challenges,” Mitchell noted, as summer temperatures in the area typically reach around 30°C.
With the World Cup on the horizon, Mitchell acknowledges that the sweltering conditions could prove beneficial. “This may end up being our most strenuous training camp yet. We need to prepare for discomfort, which includes dealing with heat and other distractions," he remarked.
Reflecting on past experiences, especially after England’s narrow loss in the last Rugby World Cup final—exacerbated by an early red card for winger Lydia Thompson—Mitchell and his coaching staff are committed to leaving no stone unturned. “We’ll be putting the players through various scenarios to ensure they’re equipped to handle any situation on the pitch,” he said.
Mitchell emphasized the unpredictable nature of the game, particularly with disciplinary actions like cards and head injury assessments (HIAs) playing a crucial role. “We’re determined to prepare for all kinds of unfairness, as it’s likely to arise during the tournament,” he explained. “It’s vital we simulate these conditions during training to avoid the pitfalls we faced previously.”
The coaching team aims to instill a sense of readiness for every possible scenario, acknowledging that while they may not predict every eventuality, the camp will set them up for success. “If we fail to embrace these challenges, we risk repeating past mistakes,” Mitchell concluded, underscoring the importance of thorough preparation as they head into the World Cup.