The coach took over the Red Roses in 2023 after decades in the men’s game and forwards Sarah Bern and Abbie Ward and fly-half Holly Aitchison have found him to be hugely supportive and compassionate.

Holly told Rugby World magazine: “The main difference is how much he cares about us as people.

He wanted to know me as a person before he cared about what I did on the pitch. He wants to understand you so he can get the best out of you.”

John’s daughter is a psychologist, while his son Daryl plays cricket for New Zealand, and he’s applied what he has learned from them with his players.

Holly said: “He told me a bit about his son and him being into psychology and that drove a lot of his interest in it.

“He’s noticeably invested in that with us. He’s taken that from his son and had a load of conversations with me about how you can help yourself off the pitch.”

And Abbie praised the manager for also using his “theatrical” side to bring training sessions to life.

She said: “He brings so much energy to the programme. He’ll be so theatrical and it might be a bit off-the-wall but it makes the point.”

Of one particular session, Sarah said: “The coaching staff had to act it out and bring it to life.

“I don’t want to get in trouble for saying too much but he came in like a full American boxing outfit.

“Shirt off, silky robe and the boxing shorts. He said how we have to beat the USA team!

“There was a boxing acting scenario. It’s great as you really remember it.”