Ellie Kildunne blow as England name team for Slam decider

England coach John Mitchell has recalled full-back Emma Sing for Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France at Allianz Stadium.

Sing, the back-to-back Premiership Women’s Rugby top points scorer, comes in at full-back for her eighth cap and third start, with Ellie Kildunne ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

The Gloucester-Hartpury player, who has scored 288 points in the Premiership Women’s Rugby, made her previous two starts for the Red Roses in the 2023 Six Nations away win against Wales and the opening round this year against Italy.

Mitchell said the reigning world player of the year, Kildunne, could have featured but that England are adopting a safety-first approach to avoid disrupting her build-up to the World Cup.

“Kildunne could actually play, but her hamstring is something we want to get right. We don’t want to lose Ellie as a result of stretching it any further, and it means we can back our squad.

“Ellie will be back into it in June. There should be no problems there,” said Mitchell, whose side are bidding to win a seventh consecutive Six Nations title.

Mitchell has named his strongest available side, restoring half-backs Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison for the third time in the tournament, while Tatyana Heard returns at inside centre.

Zoe Aldcroft, the only player to feature in every game of the campaign, captains the side from blindside flanker, with Maddie Feaunati moving to openside to accommodate Alex Matthews’ return at number eight.

England have won their last 24 matches and are seeking a 15th consecutive victory over France. Wings Abby Dow and Claudia MacDonald are retained after scoring two tries each in last weekend’s 59–7 win over Scotland.

“Selection is based on tactical picks and the girls that have been more consistent in the tournament in the skillsets that we require on the weekend.

“That doesn’t mean the other girls are any less good, but you just have to go with the strengths within your group and use them when you need them,” added Mitchell.

ENGLAND:
15 Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 7 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 51 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 28 caps)
11 Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 56 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 79 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 55 caps)
2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 65 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 39 caps)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 21 caps)
5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 73 caps)
6 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 62 caps) – captain
7 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 14 caps)
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 74 caps)

REPLACEMENTS:
16 Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 82 caps)
17 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 13 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 70 caps)
19 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 23 caps)
20 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 1 cap)
21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 30 caps)
22 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 39 caps)
23 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 38 caps)