Fit-again England full-back Kildunne starts against France in semi-final

France vs. England in the women’s rugby world cup semi-final

Date: Saturday, September 20th Kick-off: 15:30 BST

Ellie Kildunne replaces her as full-back in France’s semi-final on Saturday following her concussion from England’s final pool-stage match against Australia two weeks ago.

The 26-year-old World Player of the Year did not play in England’s quarter-final victory over Scotland, but he underwent the necessary medical examinations to add pace and attacking intent to the back three.

After back spasms, prop Hannah Botterman, who has been a force in the loose and at the breakdown so far at the tournament, returns as loose-head prop in her place.

Due to Zoe Harrison’s game management, Holly Aitchison, who had a strong showing against Scotland but whose higher-risk game did not always work in wet conditions, is preferred at fly-half.

Aitchison, 28, had previously played as John Mitchell’s starting fly-half until Harrison’s success led to her taking the spot at this year’s Women’s Six Nations.

Despite having a reputation for her control and kick-kicking skills, Harrison has almost doubled Aitchison’s tries per 80 minutes, or 1.8%, since 2023.

In 2022, Saracens fly-half Harrison was the first to defeat New Zealand in the World Cup final, and he will now be in a strong position to do so again if Mitchell’s side win.

Morwenna Talling, whose player of the match performance against Scotland earned her the nod over Rosie Galligan, will play alongside her in the second row after Abbie Ward is promoted from the bench.

On Friday night, holders New Zealand and Canada meet in the other semi-final.

England’s only loss in their previous 62 games was a defeat by the Black Ferns in the final World Cup final, a statistic that dates back to 2019.

However, the Red Roses’ semi-final on Saturday is likely to be their most difficult game so far in their World Cup campaign.

With a score of 43-42 in the Six Nations Grand Slam finale, France are the team that has come closest to ending England’s record-tying streak of 31 matches with a victory over Ireland 18-13 in the quarter-finals.

However, England, the hosts of the World Cup, have won 16 of their previous matches against Les Bleues, last losing to their cross-Channel rivals in the 2018 Six Nations.

Mitchell has consistently changed his side to add depth for the World Cup, and he now appears to have settled on his strongest matchday 23.

Kildunne, Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach, Harrison, Hunt, Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Kabeya, Matthews,