Kildunne dropped to bench as England make four changes for Canada rematch

England have dropped Ellie Kildunne to the bench for Saturday’s rematch with Canada, making four changes to the starting line-up after their 24-21 defeat ended a 41-match unbeaten run.[1]

Emma Sing replaces Kildunne at full-back, while Helena Rowland and Mia Venner come in at inside centre and wing. Sadia Kabeya, who returned from a leg injury as a substitute last week, starts at flanker, with Alex Matthews moving to the bench.

Tatyana Heard and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, who started in the backline against Canada, are left out of the matchday squad. Exeter’s Flo Robinson and Sale’s Hollie Aitchison are named as half-back replacements.

Kildunne had led England’s performance in several attacking measures in the defeat, making 149 metres, two clean breaks and six defender-beating runs — more than any other England player. Sing started twice at full-back during the Six Nations, with Kildunne moving to the wing on those occasions.

Head coach John Mitchell said England had “lost sight of what we could control when it mattered most” and said the team needed to regain its hunger and hold one another accountable.

The match is at TD Place in Ottawa on Saturday, 24 October, at 00:10 BST.