Ellie Kildunne benched for England's Canada rematch

England head coach John Mitchell has moved Ellie Kildunne to the bench for Friday’s WXV Global Series rematch against Canada in Ottawa, one week after the Red Roses’ 41-match unbeaten run was ended in Toronto.

Four changes for Canada rematch

Mitchell has made four changes to the starting XV following England’s 24-21 defeat at BMO Field.

Emma Sing starts at full-back in place of Kildunne, while Gloucester-Hartpury teammate Mia Venner comes onto the wing. Helena Rowland returns at inside centre and Sadia Kabeya is selected at openside flanker.

Alex Matthews joins Kildunne among the replacements, while Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Tatyana Heard have both been left out of the matchday squad.

England looking for immediate response

Canada’s victory in Toronto ended England’s 41-match unbeaten run and was the Red Roses’ first defeat since the 2022 World Cup final against New Zealand.

“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.”

Megan Jones captains the side from outside centre, with Zoe Harrison and Lucy Packer continuing as the half-back combination.

England face Canada at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa on October 23 before completing their WXV Global Series programme against the United States in New Jersey on October 30.

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.

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