England women’s head coach John Mitchell believes Twickenham being renamed the Allianz Stadium is a “smart move” by the Rugby Football Union.

The new sponsorship deal will see the stadium’s name change from September.

Mitchell’s side will play the first game after the change against world champions New Zealand on 14 September.

“I can only see the positive sides,” Mitchell told BBC Sport.

“For those who don’t understand sport and a high-performance governing body, it is a huge cost to run high-performance teams.

“Allianz Stadium, Twickenham embodies what English rugby is all about. To leave there and move it would create change.

“I think it is a smart move. I don’t see too many negatives with it.”

Twickenham has hosted England men’s games since 1909, with the women’s team playing their first standalone fixture there against France in 2023.

England, who will host the 2025 World Cup, played their last game at Twickenham before it will be renamed against Ireland in this year’s Women’s Six Nations.

The RFU had been looking for additional investment and, in a document seen by the BBC, was considering selling its south west London home and buying a 50% share in Wembley before deciding to cash in on the Twickenham naming rights.

“I see this investment going into high performance sport, our grassroots and redeveloping the stadium,” Mitchell added.

“People will still realise that it is our national stadium, there is enough history for people to know it is still Twickenham, which is now ably supported by the brand of Allianz.”