Kildunne starts as England make 13 changes for Wales

Wales vs. England at the Women’s Six Nations

Cardiff Principality Stadium Date: Saturday, March 29 Kick-off: 16:45 GMT

In the Women’s Six Nations game at Principality Stadium on Saturday, England head coach John Mitchell made 13 changes to his starting lineup.

Ellie Kildunne, the world’s best player, makes her 50th appearance with a starting position in the Red Roses’ opening-round victory over Italy in York.

Abby Dow, 25, and Jess Breach, 25, join Mitchell on the wings, who replaced the back three that combined scored 18 tries at last year’s Six Nations.

Dow, who previously broke her hand earlier this year, makes her first appearance on Trailfinders.

The two players who will keep their spots are Exeter Chiefs number eight Maddie Feaunati and captain Zoe Aldcroft, who starts at blindside flanker.

England forwards coach Louis Deacon stated to BBC Sport, “Ellie [Kildunne] is who all young girls are looking up to at the moment because she is such an exciting player.”

She has so many more games to come, according to the Red Roses, but it’s an incredible accomplishment to have 50 caps already won.

Abi Burton, an Olympian who nearly lost her life in 2022, will start from the bench for England.

After playing for Team GB’s sevens team at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, Trailfinders’ Burton has made an impression in Premiership Women’s Rugby.

I was completely blown away when Abi [Burton] spoke with us a few weeks ago,” Deacon continued.

I was inspired by her story even though I didn’t know some of the details. She has endured an incredible amount of hardship. She has a strong desire for what she wants.

She deserves her chance because she wants it so badly, and you can see it day in and day out.

After starting in York, Loughborough Lightning flanker Sadia Kabeya makes his debut XV.

Wales, which finished last year’s competition bottom, suffered a narrow defeat last weekend in Sean Lynn’s debut game against Scotland in Edinburgh.

For a women’s sports event in Wales, more than 18 000 tickets have been sold for the England game. This is a record for the sport.

Kabeya remarked to BBC Sport regarding the fixture being played at Principality Stadium, “I think they’re so important to grow the fanbase.”

The number of fans at Allianz Stadium, including friends and family, those who have never watched rugby before, those who have just seen it on the train, is incredible, and it’s what we need, it’s what we want.

Tatyana Heard and Megan Jones rekindle their center partnership, which saw the Red Roses win their third Grand Slam in a row last year.

The half-back pairing features Scrum-half Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison, with the Saracens flyhalf the only change to the Wales backline after winning it 46-10 in Bristol last year.