Ellie Kildunne has been dropped to the bench for England's Red Roses against Canada on Friday, a week after a defeat in Toronto ended a 41-match unbeaten run. Head coach John Mitchell has made four changes to the starting XV, with Emma Sing and Mia Venner coming into the back three at full-back and wing, and Helena Rowland returning at inside-centre.
In the forwards, Sadia Kabeya of Loughborough Lightning is selected at openside flanker, the only change to the pack that began the second Test. Alex Matthews also moves to the replacements bench, while wing Claudia Moloney-Mac Donald and centre Tatyana Heard drop out of the squad altogether.
Mitchell said Kildunne, 2024's World Player of the Year, is "going through a difficult period" and that it is important to help her through it. "Well, firstly it's undisputed that she adds huge value," he said. He added that she wants to become more consistent and that the decision is about creating competition.
Mitchell stressed that the squad must respond. "Last Friday, we lost sight of what we could control when it mattered most; that's on us to fix," he said. "Friday is an opportunity to apply sustained pressure, learn from what we missed and come out the other side better than we went in."
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing