Ellie Kildunne has been benched in the England Red Roses squad to face Canada on Friday, a week after the loss in Toronto ended a 41-match unbeaten run.
Coach John Mitchell has made a total of four changes to the starting XV, with Gloucester-Hartpury duo Emma Sing and Mia Venner coming into the back three at wing-back respectively, while Loughborough Lightning’s Helena Rowland returns at centre.
In the forwards, there is just one change to the team that started the second Test – Sadia Kabeya, also from Loughborough Lightning, is selected at openside.
While Kildunne – the 2024 World Player of the Year – and back row Alex Matthews move to the substitutes’ bench, wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and center Tatyana Heard are dropped from the squad altogether.
“Friday is our first chance to respond,” Mitchell said.
“Last Friday, we lost what we could control when it mattered most; it’s up to us to fix it. This week is about getting back to who we are: hungry, accountable to each other, and asking more of ourselves than anyone outside of this group ever has.
“We’ve had a strong run but nothing is forced on us going forward. Friday is an opportunity to apply constant pressure, learn from what we’ve lost and come out on the other side better than we played.”
Mitchell: Kildunne is going through a tough time
Speaking more about the key selection call in his pre-match press conference, Mitchell shed more light on the decision.
The head coach revealed that Kildunne are “going through a tough time” in their search for consistency:
“Well, first of all it’s undeniable that she adds a lot of value. She’s just going through a tough time at the moment.
“It’s important for us to help him with that.
John Mitchell revealed the reasons behind Kildunne’s exit, saying she is going through a ‘difficult period’ in terms of consistency.
“She wants to become consistent as well and she will be back. It’s also important to create competition and accept that you need to become more consistent, especially when competing at the Red Roses.
“So it’s really important to reinforce the behaviors that we think are necessary for our game. And that goes for everyone.”
The Red Roses will play Canada in Ottawa
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.
Substitutions: 16 Bryony Field, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Demelza Short, 20 Alex Matthews, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Ellie Kildunne.
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