Emma Sing replaces injured Kildunne for Grand Slam decider

Gloucester-Hartpury full-back Emma Sing has been named in the starting XV for England’s Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France, replacing World Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne, who is sidelined with a minor hamstring injury.

Kildunne’s absence for Saturday’s clash at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium comes as a precaution, with head coach John Mitchell confirming the injury is not serious:

“Kildunne could actually play but her hamstring is something we want to get right,” said Mitchell.

“We don't want to lose Ellie as a result of stretching it any further and it means we can back our squad.

"Ellie will be back into it in June [World Cup preparation], there should be no problems there.”

Sing, who made her only appearance of the current Six Nations in the opening round against Italy, scored 11 points in that game and now steps into a pivotal role as England chase a seventh consecutive title and their third Grand Slam in a row.

The 24-year-old’s inclusion is seen as a strong statement of faith in squad depth by the England coaching team.

Mitchell’s side enters the match on the back of a remarkable 24-match winning streak and will be looking to extend their dominance over France, having won their last 14 encounters.

A 15th win would not only clinch the title but reaffirm England’s status as the team to beat ahead of this year’s home World Cup preparations.

In the playmaking positions, Saracens' Zoe Harrison is preferred at fly-half over Holly Aitchison. Harrison, who featured in England’s Grand Slam-clinching win in Bordeaux last year, will partner Natasha Hunt, who returns at scrum-half.

Lucy Packer, who started in last week’s thrashing of Scotland, moves to the bench.

There’s also a first England start for Exeter Chiefs flanker Maddie Feaunati, who takes the open-side jersey. She’ll be joined in the back row by 2014 World Cup-winner Alex Matthews at number eight and team captain Zoe Aldcroft at blind-side flanker — the only player to have started every match in this campaign.

England: Sing; Dow, Jones, Heard, MacDonald; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Atkin-Davies, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Feaunati, Matthews.

Reserves: Cokayne, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Burton, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland.