Kildunne stays on England bench as Mitchell makes six changes

Ellie Kildunne has been left among England's replacements for a second consecutive match as head coach John Mitchell announced six changes to his starting side. BBC Sport reported that Emma Sing retains the full-back position for the Red Roses' fixture against the United States in New Jersey on Friday.

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Kildunne was also omitted from the starting team for last Saturday's 31-22 defeat by Canada in Ottawa. Mitchell said at the time that the 27-year-old needed greater consistency. The latest selection keeps her on the bench despite the changes elsewhere in the side following that defeat.

Four of the six alterations are in the backs. Tatyana Heard, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Flo Robinson and Holly Aitchison have each been given their first start of the tour. The other two changes come in the forwards, where Mackenzie Carson and Maud Muir replace Hannah Botterman and Sarah Bern.

Mitchell said the rotation was intended to refresh the squad, give players opportunities and develop depth. In comments carried by the BBC, he explained that selection reflected the team's requirements against the USA, the behaviours England valued and the performance they were preparing to deliver. He also stressed that every player was accountable for team standards.

Kildunne's place among the replacements comes after a career that already includes 67 England caps, the 2024 World Rugby player-of-the-year award and a role in the Red Roses' 2025 World Cup triumph. The Bristol Bears full-back recorded two tries and two assists when England last faced the USA in August 2025, according to the BBC.

Botterman and Bern remain in the matchday group despite losing their starting places. They join Kildunne on a replacements bench that also includes Field, Short, Matthews, Hunt and Harrison. Sing is named in a starting backline alongside Venner, Jones, Heard, Moloney-MacDonald, Aitchison and Robinson, with the four newly selected backs all included.

Mitchell placed the announcement in the context of England's schedule, noting that six months separate the USA fixture from their next Test in the Women's Six Nations. He said the intention was to begin this next phase strongly, while using the changes to build the group's depth.