England star Kildunne dropped for Canada rematch

England's Red Roses: Ellie Kildunne benched as part of four changes to starting XV in search for victory in Canada rematch Canada's women snapped world champion England’s 41-match unbeaten run with a 24-21 victory in Toronto last Friday; Last month, Canada also drew with England 26-26 in Exeter to halt the Red Roses' 39-Test winning run; Canada host England in Ottawa this Friday October 23 Wednesday 21 October 2026 14:09, UK Ellie Kildunne has been dropped to the bench in the England Red Roses squad to face Canada on Friday, a week on from suffering defeat in Toronto which ended a 41-match unbeaten run. Head coach John Mitchell has made four changes to the starting XV in total, with Gloucester-Hartpury duo Emma Sing and Mia Venner coming into the back three at full-back and wing respectively, while Helena Rowland of Loughborough Lightning returns at inside-centre. In the forwards, there is just one amendment to the team that began the second Test - Sadia Kabeya, also of Loughborough Lightning, is selected at openside flanker. While Kildunne - 2024's World Player of the Year - and back-row Alex Matthews move to the replacements bench, wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and centre Tatyana Heard drop out of the squad altogether. - Red Roses' 41-game unbeaten run ended in dramatic fashion in Canada - England's 39-game winning streak ended in thrilling Canada draw - Latest rugby union news, headlines, results and reports - Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW "Friday is our first chance to respond," Mitchell said. "Last Friday, we lost sight of what we could control when it mattered most; that's on us to fix. This week is about getting back to who we are: hungry, accountable to each other and demanding more of ourselves than anyone outside this group ever could. "We've earned a strong period, but nothing about it is owed to us going forward. Friday is an opportunity to apply sustained pressure, learn from what we missed and come out the other side better than we went in." Red Roses team to 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. Replacements: 16 Bryony Field, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Demelza Short, 20 Alex Matthews, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Ellie Kildunne. WXV Global Series: England's schedule and results - England 48-15 Australia - England 26-26 Canada - England 26-19 New Zealand - Canada 24-21 England - October 23 - Canada v England (Ottawa) - October 30 - USA v England (New Jersey)