England move Kildunne to bench as Mitchell makes four changes after Canada defeat

England have moved Ellie Kildunne to the replacements as head coach John Mitchell makes four changes to his starting side following the team's first defeat in four years. According to the Guardian, Emma Sing takes over at full-back for the third and final Test against Canada in Ottawa on Friday, with changes also made at wing, centre and openside flanker.

Watch the highlights:

Canada's 24-21 victory last Friday brought England's 41-match unbeaten sequence to an end. Kildunne had started all nine of the Red Roses' matches in 2026 before this selection, but the Guardian reported that she made four knock-ons in the defeat as Canada restricted her influence. Her last absence from England's starting lineup came against Scotland in the 2025 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, following a concussion in the preceding match.

Sing is set to make her 18th England appearance. Her most recent international start was against Italy during the Six Nations, when England won 61-33 in Parma. On that occasion, Sing played full-back and Kildunne was selected on the wing. This time Kildunne remains available among the replacements rather than moving to another position in the starting backline.

Mia Venner comes into the team on the wing, while Claudia Moloney-MacDonald is left out of the matchday 23. Jess Breach keeps the other wing position after suffering her first England defeat on her 60th appearance. Helena Rowland will partner captain Meg Jones in the centres, with Tatyana Heard also absent from the selected squad. The sole change among the forwards brings Sadia Kabeya in at openside, with Alex Matthews moving to the bench.

Mitchell said England needed to take responsibility for the aspects of the defeat they could control. In comments carried by the Guardian, he called for renewed accountability within the group and stressed that their previous success did not entitle them to future results. He also identified maintaining pressure and learning from missed opportunities as priorities in their response.

Canada lead the series after the victory and a 26-26 draw at Exeter in September. Ottawa will stage the teams' final meeting in this WXV Global Series, but not England's last match of the campaign. The Red Roses are scheduled to face the United States on 30 October before their next Women's Six Nations campaign in April.