The coach insisted there is always “pressure” on his England women to deliver, whatever the circumstances, so he doesn’t want the players to feel the tournament is any more significant.

He told Rugby World magazine: “Look, we actually have pressure all the time.

“We have it in training with the depth of our squad.

“We have it for four years with every Six Nations and WXV so we are used to pressure.

“The important thing about a World Cup, particularly at home, is being optimistic rather than pessimistic about it.

“Not creating stories around the negatives that a home World cup can bring, treating it like a normal occasion.

“Ultimately, we don’t have a right to contest the final at Twickenham, we need to earn that.”

John’s players have praised him for the inclusive culture he has built in the England camp and he thinks the bond they have formed off the pitch has been instrumental to their success.

He said: “If the team feels that we have an open culture, then for me it is working.

“If you came in, you would see that.

“The girls have taken on what I started and should someone wobble within the culture and the connection is noticeable, we will enable them and help them get back on board because those wobbles do happen.

“We work on getting the engagement and connection with each campaign because we want that when we are under pressure on the pitch.

“Look at the game against Ireland in the Six Nations, we did not look flustered and made good decisions even when the game was tough.

“That strength of connection is where it will play out on the field. We don’t want to live in a high-performance jail.”