Red Roses team: Ellie Kildunne in latest positional switch as seven changes made for Grand Slam decider
John Mitchell (right) has made seven changes to his squad, while Ellie Kildunne (left) moves position again
Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has made seven changes to his squad for their pivotal Six Nations game against France, with the Grand Slam on the line.
The reigning world champions head across the Channel looking for a sixth Grand Slam in seven years, following four wins from their four Tests to date, but France could also win the Slam this weekend, too, with them also boasting an unbeaten record this Championship.
John Mitchell makes seven changes for Grand Slam decider
England’s changes come in the form of Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati, Jess Breach, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Mackenzie Carson and Sarah Bern, who all come into the run-on group this weekend.
The returns of wingers Breach and Moloney-MacDonald see Ellie Kildunne make her latest positional switch back to full-back. Meg Jones and Helena Rowland continue in midfield, with the pair starting in all four of the previous rounds. Zoe Harrison and Lucy Packer get the nod in the halves.
Feaunati and Kabeya come straight into the back-row alongside Abi Burton, with Campion slotting in next to Delaney Burns at lock. Bern and Carson also come in at tighthead and loosehead prop respectively, with Amy Cokayne continuing at hooker.
Connie Powell, Liz Crake, Maud Muir, Demelza Short, Marlie Packer, Flo Robinson, Holly Aitchison and Emma Sing form the replacements bench.
Commenting on his selection, Mitchell said: “France are a quality side, and we’ve got a huge amount of respect for what they bring and the way they play the game.
“To face them in Bordeaux – in the heart of the south-west, a region so passionate about rugby with a vocal home crowd behind them – is exactly the sort of challenge the girls relish, embrace and walk towards. With that support comes expectation and pressure, and Francois has already laid down the challenge to his players.
“This tournament has demanded adaptability and the ability to learn quickly from us throughout. The girls have stayed connected, composed and continued to grow within our new attacking identity. I’m proud of the way the players have competed for positions, pushed one another every day and earned the right to contest for the Championship.
“We understand the significance of the performance ahead and what it would mean to us, but our focus remains firmly on trusting our game, staying present, being courageous, creating stronger connections and continuing to act selflessly for one another, throughout this tournament.”
Red Roses team v France in full
Red Roses: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Jess Breach, 13 Meg Jones (c), 12 Helena Rowland, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Lucy Packer, 8 Maddie Feaunati, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 6 Abi Burton, 5 Delaney Burns, 4 Lilli Ives Campion, 3 Sarah Bern, 2 Amy Cokayne, 1 Mackenzie Carson
Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Liz Crake, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Demelza Short, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Emma Sing
READ MORE: Springboks prop set to miss the Rugby World Cup after doping suspension handed down