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Home Sports England’s Red Roses: Ellie Kildunne benched as part of four changes to starting XV in search for victory in Canada rematch | Rugby Union News
England’s Red Roses: Ellie Kildunne benched as part of four changes to starting XV in search for victory in Canada rematch | Rugby Union News

October 21, 2026:

England’s Red Roses: Ellie Kildunne benched as part of four changes to starting XV in search for victory in Canada rematch | Rugby Union News

Ellie Kildunne has been dropped to the bench in the England Red Roses squad to face Canada on Friday, a week on from suffering defeat in Toronto which ended a 41-match unbeaten run.

Head coach John Mitchell has made four changes to the starting XV in total, with Gloucester-Hartpury duo Emma Sing and Mia Venner coming into the back three at full-back and wing respectively, while Helena Rowland of Loughborough Lightning returns at inside-centre.

In the forwards, there is just one amendment to the team that began the second Test – Sadia Kabeya, also of Loughborough Lightning, is selected at openside flanker.

While Kildunne – 2024’s World Player of the Year – and back-row Alex Matthews move to the replacements bench, wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and centre Tatyana Heard drop out of the squad altogether.

Canada ended England's 41-game unbeaten run last week in Toronto
Image:
Canada ended England’s 41-game unbeaten run last week in Toronto

“Friday is our first chance to respond,” Mitchell said.

“Last Friday, we lost sight of what we could control when it mattered most; that’s on us to fix. This week is about getting back to who we are: hungry, accountable to each other and demanding more of ourselves than anyone outside this group ever could.

“We’ve earned a strong period, but nothing about it is owed to us going forward. Friday is an opportunity to apply sustained pressure, learn from what we missed and come out the other side better than we went in.”

Mitchell: Kildunne going through difficult period

Speaking more about the major selection call at his pre-match press conference, Mitchell shed further light on the decision.

The head coach revealed Kildunne is “going through a difficult period” in the search for consistency:

“Well, firstly it’s undisputed that she adds huge value. She’s just going through a difficult period at the moment.

“It’s important for us to help her through that.

John Mitchell revealed the reasons for dropping Kildunne, saying she is going through a 'difficult period' in terms of consistency
Image:
John Mitchell revealed the reasons for dropping Kildunne, saying she is going through a ‘difficult period’ in terms of consistency

“She wants to become consistent as well and she’ll get back. It’s also important to create competition and to recognise that you have to become more consistent, especially when you’re competing in the Red Roses.

“So it’s really important to reinforce the behaviours that we think are necessary to our game. And that goes for everyone.”

Red Roses team to play Canada in Ottawa

England: 15 Emma Sing, 14 Jess Breach, 13 Megan Jones (c), 12 Helena Rowland, 11 Mia Venner, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Lucy Packer; 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati.

Replacements: 16 Bryony Field, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Demelza Short, 20 Alex Matthews, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Ellie Kildunne.

WXV Global Series: England’s schedule and results

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