Kildunne named on England bench for second match in a row

Ellie Kildunne has been named among England’s replacements for Friday’s match against the USA, despite head coach John Mitchell making six changes to the starting side. It is the second match in a row that the full-back has been left out of the starting line-up.

Kildunne was dropped for last Saturday’s 31-22 defeat by Canada. Mitchell said she needed to show “greater consistency”. Emma Sing keeps her place at full-back for the USA fixture, which will be played in New Jersey.

Four of the six changes are in the backs: Tatyana Heard, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Flo Robinson and Holly Aitchison will make their first starts of England’s tour. In the forwards, Mackenzie Carson and Maud Muir replace Hannah Botterman and Sarah Bern.

Mitchell said the changes were intended to refresh the squad, create opportunities and build depth. England’s next Test after Friday’s game is in the Women’s Six Nations, six months away, he said.

Kildunne, 27, has 67 England caps and was named World Rugby’s player of the year in 2024. She was part of the Red Roses side that won the 2025 World Cup. England beat the USA in their most recent meeting, in August 2025, when Kildunne scored two tries and made two assists.