Kildunne dropped to the bench for England, Canada rematch on Friday

World champions England lost 24-21 to Canada in Toronto last Friday, ending their 41-match unbeaten run. The Red Roses had also drawn 26-26 with Canada in Exeter a month earlier, which ended their 39-match winning streak. The two teams will meet again on Friday, 23 October, in Ottawa.

Head coach John Mitchell made four changes to the starting XV. Emma Sing of Gloucester Hartpury will play at full-back and Mia Venner on the wing, in the backline. Helena Rowland of Loughborough Lightning returns at inside centre. Sadia Kabeya, from the same club, will start at openside flanker, the only change among the forwards.

Ellie Kildunne and back-row player Alex Matthews have moved to the bench. Wing Claudia Moloney MacDonald and centre Tatyana Heard have been left out of the squad.

Mitchell said Kildunne adds great value to the team. However, he noted that the player is going through a difficult period and is searching for consistency. Mitchell pointed to the importance of competition within the squad and added that this applies to everyone.

Mitchell put last week's defeat down to overlooking the things that can be controlled. He expects the team to return as a side that is hungry, accountable to one another and demanding more of itself.