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England star Kildunne fit for World Cup semi-final against France / Photo: © AFP/File
NYSE - LSE
England star Kildunne fit for World Cup semi-final against France
Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman have returned to England's starting line-up for the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final against France in a major boost for the tournament favourites.
World player of the Kildunne has been picked at full-back for Saturday's match in Bristol after missing last week's quarter-final victory against Scotland with concussion.
And the pack has been bolstered by Botterman's return after the loosehead prop suffered a back spasm. Helena Rowland and Kelsey Clifford drop to the bench.
England coach John Mitchell has made two further changes to his starting XV, with fly-half Zoe Harrison and second row Abbie Ward promoted after featuring as replacements in the quarter-final.
Jess Breach (wing) and Megan Jones (centre) remain in the backline as the only England players to have started every game.
England are on a 16-game winning streak against France but were pushed to the limit against the French in this season's Six Nations before winning 43-42.
"Ashton Gate set the stage for a strong performance in tough conditions last weekend and the girls are eager to get back out there for the semi-final," said Mitchell.
"We've earned this stage and now we've got another chance to earn the right. Our game is working and is the right way. By working together we'll keep getting better."
France will be without co-captain Manae Feleu and flanker Axelle Berthoumieu after the pair were banned for the rest of the tournament for acts of foul play in their 18-13 quarter-final win against Ireland.
But Mitchell, a former coach of the men's All Blacks, warned they would be dangerous.
"France have faced challenges and that will drive them –- we expect it," he said.
"We don't need to be perfect, just effective, focused and ready for the fight. We're excited and ready to hunt them."
Defending champions New Zealand face second-ranked Canada in the first semi-final on Friday, also being held in Bristol.
England, the top-ranked side in the world, have been beaten in five of the past six World Cup finals by New Zealand.
England (15-1)
Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt; Alex Matthewa, Sadia Kabeya, Zoe Aldcroft (capt); Abbie Ward, Morwenna Talling; Maud Muir, Amy Cokayne, Hannah Botterman
Replacements: Lark Atkin-Davies, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Bern, Rosie Galligan, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison, Helena Rowland
Coach: John Mitchell (NZL)
A.S. Leite--JDB
