Red Roses make six changes but Kildunne on bench again

Published58 minutes ago

Ellie Kildunne has been named on the England bench for their fixture against the USA, despite head coach John Mitchell making six changes to his side.

The 27-year-old full-back was dropped for the 31-22 defeat by Canada last Saturday, with Mitchell saying she needed to show "greater consistency".

Despite the loss in Ottawa, Bristol Bears star Kildunne will once again have to settle for a place on the bench for Friday's match against the USA in New Jersey, with Emma Sing retaining her spot.

With 67 England caps to her name, Kildunne was named World Rugby's player of the year in 2024, and starred in the Red Roses' 2025 World Cup victory.

Four of Mitchell's changes are to the backs, with Tatyana Heard, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Flo Robinson and Holly Aitchison handed their first starts of the tour, while forwards Mackenzie Carson and Maud Muir replace Hannah Botterman and Sarah Bern.

"Our intent is to start this next phase strongly against the USA, with six months until our next Test in the Women's Six Nations," said Mitchell.

"We're rotating some positions this week to refresh the group, create opportunities and continue building our depth.

"Selection is driven by what the team needs against the USA, the behaviours we value and the performance we're preparing to deliver.

"Everyone has a role, and everyone is accountable for our standards."

England team to face USA

England: Sing; Venner, Jones, Heard, Moloney-MacDonald; Aitchison, Robinson; Carson, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ives Campion, Burton, Kabeya, Feaunati

Replacements: Field, Botterman, Bern, Short, Matthews, Hunt, Harrison, Kildunne

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