Red Roses make six changes but Kildunne on bench again

Ellie Kildunne has been named on the England bench for their fixture against the USA, despite head coach John Mitchell making six changes to his side.

The 27-year-old full-back was dropped for the 31-22 defeat by Canada last Saturday, with Mitchell saying she needed to show "greater consistency".

Despite the loss in Ottawa, Bristol Bears star Kildunne will once again have to settle for a place on the bench for Friday's match against the USA in New Jersey, with Emma Sing retaining her spot.

With 67 England caps to her name, Kildunne was named World Rugby's player of the year in 2024, and starred in the Red Roses' 2025 World Cup victory.

After losing back-to-back matches for the first time since 2016, four of Mitchell's changes are to the backs.

Tatyana Heard, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Flo Robinson and Holly Aitchison have been handed their first starts of the tour, while forwards Mackenzie Carson and Maud Muir replace Hannah Botterman and Sarah Bern in the pack.

Mitchell has introduced a number of younger players into the side since the World Cup triumph and was not surprised to see his side's 41-match unbeaten run come to an end.

"I've been waiting for it," Mitchell said. "It's not something that I make excuses about, but I've been waiting for a dip.

"For me, it's really exciting to get the information that we have. I've tried some things as well, and we have been like 60/40 in terms of renewal.

"We've got a lot of young players going into their 11th Test match for the year, and we've got some outstanding players to come back as well.

"There are a couple of things I've tried that haven't paid off, but it's a good time to try things. I'm actually OK with that."

Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Robinson will start her first Test match for England as Mitchell seeks to improve his side's attacking options.

"I feel we don't threaten enough from nine, so I'm definitely looking for a running threat and she possesses that," said Mitchell. "She also possesses a very good kicking game if we need control. She's also a very good defensive player.

"If one of your nine or 10 is not a running threat then I think you become a little bit predictable in that area and I want to have a good look at the threat that Flo brings."

Robinson will play alongside fly-half Aitchison, who replaces World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Zoe Harrison in the starting XV as Mitchell looks to the future.

"We're rotating some positions this week to refresh the group, create opportunities and continue building our depth," said Mitchell.

Mitchell also confirmed that coaching consultant Shaun Edwards had left the group after Saturday's loss to Canada, saying it had been agreed previously that he would not stay on for the third match of the tour.

"Shaun hasn't been present this week," said Mitchell. "I've been the defence coach this week.

"You've got to feel for the players, they have had so much change. That's something that's been really good for the coaching group, but not so good for the players, I feel, in terms of getting different language and different perspectives."

The New Zealander said he was looking forward to developing the next phase of this England team.

"The main message is not to let a Test match define you," Mitchell said. "We have a far greater purpose than losing a Test series to a very good rugby nation in Canada.

"We have a very clear vision. We've also got a very clear philosophy, even though that's not at the standard we require it to be or as fast as it needs to be.

"What will come from that is the establishment of key behaviours, which will lead to greater accountability among our centrally contracted players and ensure that we continue to grow."

England: Sing; Venner, Jones, Heard, Moloney-MacDonald; Aitchison, Robinson; Carson, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ives Campion, Burton, Kabeya, Feaunati

Replacements: Field, Botterman, Bern, Short, Matthews, Hunt, Harrison, Kildunne