Ellie Kildunne has been dropped to the bench for England’s third and final Test against Canada on Friday as the Red Roses look to bounce back from their first loss in four years. The Maple Leafs defeated England 24-21 last Friday to end the Red Roses’ 41-game unbeaten streak. Kildunne starting from the bench, with Emma Sing at full-back, is one of four changes the head coach, John Mitchell, has made to his starting XV for the Test in Ottawa.
She has to become consistent as well. It is also important to create competition and to recognise that you have to become more consistent, especially when you are competing in the Red Roses. That goes for everyone.” The last time Kildunne did not start for England was in the 2025 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Scotland after she suffered a concussion in the previous match.
Kildunne has started the nine games England have played so far in 2026 but last Friday she committed four knock-ons and Canada managed to stifle England’s standout player. Sing will win her 18th cap for England, with her last start for her country coming against Italy in the Six Nations. In that match, which the Red Roses won 61-33 in Parma, the 25-year-old played at full-back with Kildunne starting on the wing.
The other changes see Sadia Kabeya starting ahead of Alex Matthews, who is on the bench, with Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Tatyana Heard dropped from the matchday 23 as Mia Venner and Helena Rowland start. Mitchell added on howOf Moloney-MacDonald and Heard’s reactions to being dropped, Mitchell added: “Their response has been outstanding. Both individuals have different cases, that is between myself and them.” The captain Meg Jones added the team have had “honest conversations” as well as allowing players to “feel sad, happy or indifferent” about the loss.
That is where you find courage and bravery to stick where you are in the present moment. That is going to be huge for us this weekend.” Canada lead the series against England after last Friday’s defeat and the 26-26 draw at Exeter in September. The Red Roses have travelled to Ottawa to take on Canada again and while it will be the final time they play their rivals in this WXV Global Series, their matches do not end there.
They face the USA on 30 October for their final match until the Women’s Six Nations in April.
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