Latest news with #Kildunne
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
England seek seventh heaven in Six Nations slam decider with France
England are on the hunt for their seventh consecutive Women's Six Nations title today but their toughest opponent yet in France stand in their way, who are also targeting their own grand slam success. France have been the runner-up to England in the past five Six Nations and the Red Roses have beaten their rivals in the last 14 games across all competitions. Twickenham will witness something special whoever wins. The statistics stack up in England's favour. John Mitchell's side have been more clinical this tournament, scoring 213 points across their four victories and only conceding 29. France, meanwhile, have scored 141 and conceded 63. Advertisement But England would do well not to under-estimate the French, who were the last team to beat them in this competition in 2018. Fast forward 33 straight wins and England remain just as determined to win, says the No 8 Alex Matthews. 'The energy this week has just upped a level,' said the 31-year-old, who was banned for the opening two games of this Six Nations. 'There is a feelgood factor. We are all high-fiving after sessions. We want to play in big games, we want to be challenged. I loved the first 40-50 minutes against Ireland because we were being thrown things, we had to problem solve. I am looking forward to that on Saturday for 80 minutes.' The Red Roses face their sternest test of the tournament without one of their star players in Ellie Kildunne, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Gloucester-Hartpury's Emma Sing is in for Kildunne for her eighth cap in what could be seen as a Rugby World Cup audition. She has already played a game this Six Nations, in the opener against Italy, and scored a try. But this will be the hardest game of Sing's international career to date. Her club teammate Matthews gave insight into Sing as a player before the huge fixture. 'Emma said she got the phone call from Mitch [Mitchell] and she was shaking. As long as we can help her calm her nerves and just play off her instincts she will perform like she has for Gloucester for the past three years. She is our key player at Gloucester. She won every award this year as well as the community awards voted for by fans. It says a lot about her. She has no fear under the ball. I am really chuffed to see her out there. Advertisement 'She has been in tough positions in the squad as she has been competing against Ellie. You are there training and putting all the hard graft in so I am happy she is doing it at Twickenham. It's such a big occasion to be a part of.' Matthews, who won the Rugby World Cup in 2014, said Kildunne's injury before a crucial match could be valuable experience for the Red Roses with the home Rugby World Cup taking place later this year. 'We have been in World Cups before [where key players have been injured]. Nolli [Danielle Waterman] got injured early in the 2017 semi-final and we were like 'hang on, we haven't prepared for this'. Whereas, the depth we have now and the rotations we are going through I think it puts us in a good place to be prepared for anything.' The Red Roses have been formidable this tournament but they have not yet produced a perfect performance and that is an area France can target. In round three, Ireland were on top of England throughout the first half of their match but only managed to put one try on the board during that time. England then raced away from them in the second 40. Similarly, in round one Italy halted England's attack in the second half but once more could not strike enough times to put a dent on the scoreboard. If France are able to get momentum and be clinical, the trophy could be anyone's. Advertisement England do have home advantage as the decider is being played at Twickenham with more than 35,000 supporters expected to be in the crowd. Matthews' career has seen the development of fans at England's home stadium with the team playing before the men in years past. But now the Red Roses have a yearly stand-alone game. 'It's a dream come true,' she said. 'You used to run out for the warm-up just after the men and the crowd would be unreal. Then you'd run out to play and everyone would disappear other than your friends and family. It wasn't demoralising but it was a reality check. But now getting off the bus you have people there who have come to watch you. It's somewhere I never, ever thought the game would go in my lifetime.'
The Guardian
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
England seek seventh heaven in Six Nations slam decider with France
England are on the hunt for their seventh consecutive Women's Six Nations title today but their toughest opponent yet in France stand in their way, who are also targeting their own grand slam success. France have been the runner-up to England in the past five Six Nations and the Red Roses have beaten their rivals in the last 14 games across all competitions. Twickenham will witness something special whoever wins. The statistics stack up in England's favour. John Mitchell's side have been more clinical this tournament, scoring 213 points across their four victories and only conceding 29. France, meanwhile, have scored 141 and conceded 63. But England would do well not to under-estimate the French, who were the last team to beat them in this competition in 2018. Fast forward 33 straight wins and England remain just as determined to win, says the No 8 Alex Matthews. 'The energy this week has just upped a level,' said the 31-year-old, who was banned for the opening two games of this Six Nations. 'There is a feelgood factor. We are all high-fiving after sessions. We want to play in big games, we want to be challenged. I loved the first 40-50 minutes against Ireland because we were being thrown things, we had to problem solve. I am looking forward to that on Saturday for 80 minutes.' The Red Roses face their sternest test of the tournament without one of their star players in Ellie Kildunne, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Gloucester-Hartpury's Emma Sing is in for Kildunne for her eighth cap in what could be seen as a Rugby World Cup audition. She has already played a game this Six Nations, in the opener against Italy, and scored a try. But this will be the hardest game of Sing's international career to date. Her club teammate Matthews gave insight into Sing as a player before the huge fixture. 'Emma said she got the phone call from Mitch [Mitchell] and she was shaking. As long as we can help her calm her nerves and just play off her instincts she will perform like she has for Gloucester for the past three years. She is our key player at Gloucester. She won every award this year as well as the community awards voted for by fans. It says a lot about her. She has no fear under the ball. I am really chuffed to see her out there. 'She has been in tough positions in the squad as she has been competing against Ellie. You are there training and putting all the hard graft in so I am happy she is doing it at Twickenham. It's such a big occasion to be a part of.' Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Matthews, who won the Rugby World Cup in 2014, said Kildunne's injury before a crucial match could be valuable experience for the Red Roses with the home Rugby World Cup taking place later this year. 'We have been in World Cups before [where key players have been injured]. Nolli [Danielle Waterman] got injured early in the 2017 semi-final and we were like 'hang on, we haven't prepared for this'. Whereas, the depth we have now and the rotations we are going through I think it puts us in a good place to be prepared for anything.' The Red Roses have been formidable this tournament but they have not yet produced a perfect performance and that is an area France can target. In round three, Ireland were on top of England throughout the first half of their match but only managed to put one try on the board during that time. England then raced away from them in the second 40. Similarly, in round one Italy halted England's attack in the second half but once more could not strike enough times to put a dent on the scoreboard. If France are able to get momentum and be clinical, the trophy could be anyone's. England do have home advantage as the decider is being played at Twickenham with more than 35,000 supporters expected to be in the crowd. Matthews' career has seen the development of fans at England's home stadium with the team playing before the men in years past. But now the Red Roses have a yearly stand-alone game. 'It's a dream come true,' she said. 'You used to run out for the warm-up just after the men and the crowd would be unreal. Then you'd run out to play and everyone would disappear other than your friends and family. It wasn't demoralising but it was a reality check. But now getting off the bus you have people there who have come to watch you. It's somewhere I never, ever thought the game would go in my lifetime.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
England play down World Cup fears as Kildunne ruled out of France decider
England remain confident Ellie Kildunne will be fit for this summer's Rugby World Cup build-up after the joint-top try scorer in this year's women's Six Nations was ruled out of Saturday's grand slam decider due to a hamstring injury. Kildunne, the current World Rugby player of the year, has played all four games of England's campaign in their attempt to win a seventh successive title, but will be replaced by Emma Sing at full-back for the match at Twickenham against fellow unbeaten Six Nations rivals France. Advertisement England's head coach, John Mitchell, however, played down the significance of Kildunne's absence, insisting she was expected to take part in their pre-World Cup camps. 'She could play, it's just something we need to make sure we get right,' he said of Saturday's decider. '[The thought process has been] let's not lose her as a result of stretching it any further and let's back our squad. 'Emma's a world class full-back. She has been the best in the PWR [Premiership Women's Rugby]. It gives us a chance to adapt and another chance to deal with a situation that might occur down the track so we're more than confident to make that decision. 'Ellie will be back into it in June, there should be no restrictions when it comes to June.' Gloucester-Hartpury's Sing will make only her third start for her country as one of eight changes made to the Red Roses's starting XV from the side that defeated Scotland. A shuffle in the back row means former captain Marlie Packer drops out of the matchday 23 with Maddie Feaunati moved to openside flanker. With Feaunati switched to openside, Alex Matthews comes in at No 8 and current captain Zoe Aldcroft, the only England player to keep her starting shirt throughout the tournament, features at blindside flanker. England: Sing; Dow, Jones, Heard, MacDonald; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Atkin-Davies, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (c), Feunati, Matthews. Replacements: Cokayne, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Burton, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland. France: Bourgeois; Grisez, M Ménager, Vernier, Arbey; Arbez, Bourdon Sansus; Brosseau, Bigot, Khalfaoui, M Feleu (c), Fall-Raclot, Escudero, Champon, T Feleu. Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Bernadou, Zago, Berthoumieu, Maka, Chambon, Queyroi The wing Claudia MacDonald also starts following a two-try performance against Scotland with Abby Dow – who sits atop the try-scoring statistics on four alongside Kildunne and Ireland's Aoife Wafer – completing the back three. That means no place for Jess Breach in the matchday squad but Zoe Harrison gets the nod at fly-half. Mitchell has been keen to experiment with different combinations this tournament. When asked if this 23 was his strongest, he said: 'We've obviously been planning with the end [Rugby World Cup] in mind and we've tried to create situations in the tournament that are going to be like the experience at the end of the year, so it requires a lot of patience from the girls. 'They have known their roles but every player wants to play every game. They've had to adapt and learn to deal with that. This is a combination that's based on a tactical selection. The girls who, I think, have been more consistent in the tournament and the skillsets we require on the weekend have got the nod. That doesn't mean the other girls are any less better, it's just the fact you have to go for the strengths within your group and use them when you need them.'
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sing replaces injured Kildunne for Grand Slam game
Guinness Women's Six Nations: England v FranceVenue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Date: Saturday, 26 April Kick-off: 16:45 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and online, listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, live text and video highlights on the BBC Sport website and app Gloucester-Hartpury's Emma Sing will start at full-back in the place of injured Ellie Kildunne for England's Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France on player of the year Kildunne has been ruled out of the game at at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham after suffering a minor hamstring only previous appearance this Six Nations came in the opening-round win over Italy in York, where the 24-year-old scored 11 points."Kildunne could actually play but her hamstring is something we want to get right," England head coach John Mitchell said."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 [World Cup preparation], there should be no problems there."Mitchell's England are on a 24-game winning streak and are chasing a 15th successive win over France to secure a seventh Six Nations title in a Zoe Harrison is given the nod at fly-half over Holly Aitchison, who started England's victory over France in Bordeaux last year to clinch the Red Roses' third successive Grand Natasha Hunt comes back into the starting XV to partner Harrison, with Lucy Packer named on the bench after impressing from the start in the hammering of Scotland last Chiefs' Maddie Feaunati will make her first England start at open-side flanker, with 2014 World Cup-winner Alex Matthews packing down at number Zoe Aldcroft - named at blind-side flanker - is the only Red Roses player to start every game this campaign."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," Mitchell added."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." Flanker Abi Burton, who scored two tries on her Red Roses debut against Wales in round two, is named on the bench, meaning there is no place for former captain Marlie Packer or Loughborough Lightning's Sadia Chiefs' Claudia MacDonald is rewarded for her player-of-the-match performance in the victory over Scotland with a start on the left wing, meaning regular starter Jessica Breach misses the bench, Amy Cokayne returns from a pectoral injury that kept her out of the Scotland game in Leicester, while utility back Helena Rowland is named in the 23 call means 35-year-old World Cup-winning centre Emily Scarratt, who came off the bench in last year's win in Bordeaux, misses out on the matchday Rosie Galligan is named as a replacement but could still miss the game because of a cut on her knee, which was sustained in training and is being who last defeated England in 2018, have made two changes in their back row as open-side flanker Lea Champon comes in for a first start this championship and Charlotte Escudero returns at blind-side established half-back duo of Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Carla Arbez again start, while Kelly Arbey returns on the wing, with Joanna Grisez retaining her spot on the opposite side after scoring in the comeback victory over Italy in Parma last is also a potential debut for 20-year-old Taina Maka, who is comfortable in the second row and at match is the fourth successive time both sides play each in the final game with a Grand Slam on the line. Line-ups England: Sing; Dow, Jones, Heard, MacDonald; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Atkin-Davies, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Feaunati, Cokayne, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Burton, L Packer, Aitchison, Bourgeois; Grisez, M Menager, Vernier, Arbwy; Arbez, Bourdon; Brosseau, Bigot, Khalfaoui, M Feleu (capt), Fall-Raclot, Escudero, Champon, T Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Bernadou, Zago, Berthoumieu, Maka, Chambon, Queyroi.
The Guardian
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
England play down World Cup fears as Kildunne ruled out of France decider
England remain confident Ellie Kildunne will be fit for this summer's Rugby World Cup build-up after the joint-top try scorer in this year's women's Six Nations was ruled out of Saturday's grand slam decider due to a hamstring injury. Kildunne, the current World Rugby player of the year, has played all four games of England's campaign in their attempt to win a seventh successive title, but will be replaced by Emma Sing at full-back for the match at Twickenham against fellow unbeaten Six Nations rivals France. England's head coach, John Mitchell, however, played down the significance of Kildunne's absence, insisting she was expected to take part in their pre-World Cup camps. 'She could play, it's just something we need to make sure we get right,' he said of Saturday's decider. '[The thought process has been] let's not lose her as a result of stretching it any further and let's back our squad. 'Emma's a world class full-back. She has been the best in the PWR [Premiership Women's Rugby]. It gives us a chance to adapt and another chance to deal with a situation that might occur down the track so we're more than confident to make that decision. 'Ellie will be back into it in June, there should be no restrictions when it comes to June.' Gloucester-Hartpury's Sing will make only her third start for her country as one of eight changes made to the Red Roses's starting XV from the side that defeated Scotland. A shuffle in the back row means former captain Marlie Packer drops out of the matchday 23 with Maddie Feaunati moved to openside flanker. With Feaunati switched to openside, Alex Matthews comes in at No 8 and current captain Zoe Aldcroft, the only England player to keep her starting shirt throughout the tournament, features at blindside flanker. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion England: Sing; Dow, Jones, Heard, MacDonald; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Atkin-Davies, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (c), Feunati, Cokayne, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Burton, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland. France: Bourgeois; Grisez, M Ménager, Vernier, Arbey; Arbez, Bourdon Sansus; Brosseau, Bigot, Khalfaoui, M Feleu (c), Fall-Raclot, Escudero, Champon, T Feleu. Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Bernadou, Zago, Berthoumieu, Maka, Chambon, Queyroi The wing Claudia MacDonald also starts following a two-try performance against Scotland with Abby Dow – who sits atop the try-scoring statistics on four alongside Kildunne and Ireland's Aoife Wafer – completing the back three. That means no place for Jess Breach in the matchday squad but Zoe Harrison gets the nod at fly-half. Mitchell has been keen to experiment with different combinations this tournament. When asked if this 23 was his strongest, he said: 'We've obviously been planning with the end [Rugby World Cup] in mind and we've tried to create situations in the tournament that are going to be like the experience at the end of the year, so it requires a lot of patience from the girls. 'They have known their roles but every player wants to play every game. They've had to adapt and learn to deal with that. This is a combination that's based on a tactical selection. The girls who, I think, have been more consistent in the tournament and the skillsets we require on the weekend have got the nod. That doesn't mean the other girls are any less better, it's just the fact you have to go for the strengths within your group and use them when you need them.'
