Red Roses team: Seven changes made as debutant primed for start while Ellie Kildunne in latest positional switch
Ellie Kildunne (right) has been named in England's starting XV once again this weekend v Wales
Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has made seven changes to his squad this weekend, with Bristol Bears back Millie David set to make her debut.
The reigning world champions come into Saturday’s clash at Ashton Gate off the back of a bumper 84-7 win over Scotland at Murrayfield, and will be looking to keep their Grand Slam hopes alive in the West Country with another win.
Red Roses make seven changes as debutant named for Wales clash
Debutant David is also joined by Delaney Burns, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Holly Aitchison, Marlie Packer, Sarah Bern and Mackenzie Carson in England’s run-on group this weekend, as Mitchell again runs the changes.
With David and Moloney-MacDonald named on the wings, Ellie Kildunne is shifted back to her usual position of full-back. Captain Meg Jones and Helena Rowland again start in midfield, while Aitchison starts alongside Lucy Packer in the halves.
Flanker Packer is joined by Maddie Feaunati and Sadia Kabeya in the back-row, with Burns joining Abi Burton in the locks. Bern and Carson start alongside hooker Amy Cokayne in the front-row.
Connie Powell, Kelsey Clifford, Maud Muir, Haineala Lutui, Demelza Short, Flo Robinson, Zoe Harrison and Jess Breach form the replacements bench.
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Commenting on his squad, Mitchell said: “Last weekend was a special performance by the team at Murrayfield and one the whole squad and staff can be proud of, but we’ve already left that behind us,” Mitchell said.
“This week is about being clear on where our game is strong and where we need to improve. Wales are a side that over-commit at the contest, which will challenge us in a different way. It’s one we’re looking forward to, and an opportunity to keep evolving our game beyond the level we’ve started to build.
“Under Sean Lynn, Wales are improving, playing with greater clarity and enthusiasm, and we know we’ll have to earn that right again.
“For us, it’s about elevating our game. That means being courageous in our skillsets, building better connections, and owning our decisions. I love this side when it embraces those challenges, especially in front of a sold-out Ashton Gate.”
This is also the third weekend in a row where the Red Roses will play in front of a huge crowd, with over 25,000 expected at Ashton Gate
Red Roses team v Wales in full
Starting XV: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Millie David, 13 Meg Jones (c), 12 Helena Rowland, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Lucy Packer, 8 Maddie Feaunati, 7 Marlie Packer, 6 Sadia Kabeya, 5 Delaney Burns, 4 Abi Burton, 3 Sarah Bern, 2 Amy Cokayne, 1 Mackenzie Carson
Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Haineala Lutui, 20 Demelza Short, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Jess Breach