Ellie Kildunne named on bench for England’s USA game in New Jersey

Ellie Kildunne will not start for England against the USA at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey on Friday, 30 October, with the match scheduled for a 21:15 GMT kick-off; she has been named among the replacements for the fixture.

Kildunne has played 33 times for the Red Roses since the start of 2024, 29 of those appearances coming at full-back. She is a former World Player of the Year, finished second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year voting, starred at the 2025 Rugby World Cup and even has a Barbie doll; her profile includes 239,000 Instagram followers and frequent media use of her image and name.

Her omission from the starting XV follows England’s defeat in Toronto to Canada, which ended a 41-Test unbeaten run and was England’s first loss in four years. After that match, England head coach John Mitchell, who made the call to move her to the bench, said: "it isn't disputed that she adds huge value" and added: "She's just going through a difficult period at the moment, and it's important for us to help her through that. "She wants to become consistent as well, and she'll get back. It's also important to create competition and to recognise that you have to become more consistent, especially when you're competing in the Red Roses. "So it's really important to reinforce the behaviours that we think are necessary to our game, and that goes for everyone."

Statistically, Kildunne remains strong in gainline success and metres gained, but the data cited in recent seasons shows a decline: she averaged about six defenders beaten per game in 2024 and 4.2 in 2026, and she has conceded more penalties in 2026 than in either of the two previous years. The article also notes that some of these trends were reflected in her PWR performances last season.

Specific match figures highlighted include Kildunne's 17 carries for 47 metres in Exeter — an average of 2.8 metres per carry — and two turnovers conceded in Toronto, described as her joint-most in any England game. The piece observes that Canada are among the teams that have been most effective at nullifying her threats.

Emma Sing has taken the opportunity at full-back and is earning starts, including in Ottawa; she holds three PWR titles with Gloucester-Hartpury and is noted for a powerful kicking game. On Sing's selection, Mitchell said: "They play quite differently. So we're very fortunate to have two very good full-backs. But you know, Emma's been sitting in the in the wings in this particular phase of our campaign. "She was intermittent through injury for a long period of time. So she's in a really good physical place, and she's worked really, really hard. So I think it's time to give her an opportunity."

The report contrasts the two players' profiles, likening Kildunne to a more media-facing figure while Sing, raised on a Devon sheep farm, prefers less spotlight. It recounts how Kildunne spent an hour signing autographs and taking selfies after England beat New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in September amid chants of "Ellie, Ellie, Ellie."

Kildunne remains in England’s match-day squad as a substitute for the USA game at Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey, on Friday, 30 October, with the 21:15 GMT kick-off the confirmed next step for her involvement in the campaign.