Mitchell hails Jones as 'authentic' leader after England's Six Nations and World Cup double

Meg Jones capped a remarkable 2026 by being named the standout player in the RugbyPass Top 50, having led England to an eighth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title and captained the Red Roses to Women’s Rugby World Cup glory — all while playing every single minute of their 11-Test international campaign.

England head coach John Mitchell was effusive in his assessment of the 30-year-old, who stepped into the captaincy in Zoe Stratford’s absence ahead of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations. Jones was also nominated for World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year and named in the World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year.

“She’s just a very authentic person,” Mitchell told RugbyPass. “She believes in her own ability, and her views have obviously been shaped by being around good people, her family, and the sustained success she’s demonstrated as a professional. She’s clearly left home and given things a crack. All of those things have probably placed Meg in a really good position.”

Jones, who left her home city of Cardiff at 16 to pursue rugby in England, started and finished all 880 minutes of England’s international year. Her club form was equally impressive: she helped Trailfinders Women reach the Premiership Women’s Rugby final, where they finished as runners-up.

The year was not without its difficulties. Back-to-back defeats to Canada in the WXV Global Series exposed vulnerabilities in a side that had long set the standard in women’s rugby, offering a clear signal that the chasing pack is closing the gap.

Mitchell acknowledged the inconsistency but remained confident in his captain’s ability to respond. “The great thing is that she’s led a successful Six Nations campaign,” he said. “Knowing how honest she is, I’d say she’s probably a little disappointed with some of the inconsistency in her performances during this Series. That’s the kind of person she is. She’ll grow from that. She’s someone who will take your team forward.”

England will not play again for six months, giving Mitchell time to reassess a squad that faces mounting pressure ahead of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029. Whatever changes lie ahead, Jones’s standing as the heartbeat of the Red Roses looks firmly established.