England move Kildunne to the bench for Canada rematch
England have moved Ellie Kildunne to the bench and made four changes for Friday’s women’s rugby Test against Canada in Ottawa. Emma Sing starts at full-back after Canada ended England’s 41-match unbeaten run. Coach John Mitchell says Kildunne needs support through a difficult period while he seeks greater consistency across the team.
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Sing starts at full-back in Ottawa
England’s women’s rugby union team will start Friday’s match against Canada in Ottawa with Ellie Kildunne among the replacements. Head coach John Mitchell has made four changes to his starting side. Emma Sing takes the full-back position, while Mia Venner comes in on the wing. Both play club rugby for Gloucester-Hartpury.[1], [2]
Helena Rowland returns at inside centre and Sadia Kabeya starts at openside flanker, the only change among the forwards. Both represent Loughborough Lightning. Alex Matthews joins Kildunne on the bench. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Tatyana Heard have been left out of the matchday squad, rather than moved to the replacements.[1], [2]
Mitchell seeks consistency after the unbeaten run ends
Canada won the previous meeting 24-21 in Toronto, ending England’s 41-match unbeaten run. It was England’s first defeat in four years. Mitchell said his team had lost sight of what it could control at a decisive stage. He accepted responsibility for correcting that and called for sustained pressure and learning from missed opportunities.[1], [2]
Mitchell described Kildunne as hugely valuable but said she was going through a difficult period. He stressed helping her and maintaining competition for places across the squad. Kildunne, the 2024 World Player of the Year, had started all nine England matches this year and made four knock-ons in the latest Canada game. Captain Meg Jones said the players had spoken honestly and expressed their feelings after the defeat.[1], [2]
England completes the Canada series before facing the United States
Sing will make her 18th international appearance. Her previous start was against Italy in Parma during the Six Nations, the annual international championship. England won 61-33, with Sing at full-back and Kildunne on the wing. Kildunne last missed a start in the 2025 World Cup quarter-final against Scotland after suffering a concussion in the preceding match.[1]
England and Canada drew 26-26 in Exeter in September. The 23 October fixture completes their meetings in the WXV Global Series, the international women’s rugby competition. England then face the United States in New Jersey on 30 October. That is their final match before the Women’s Six Nations in April.[1], [2]
