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Ellie Kildunne returns to the England starting XV in one of four changes for their Rugby World Cup semi-final against France on Saturday.
Kildunne missed the Red Roses’ quarter-final win against Scotland as she went through concussion protocols with Helena Rowland stepping in at full-back.
Rowland has been named among the replacements for the semi-final at Ashton Gate while England have also restored Hannah Botterman at loosehead prop, Abbie Ward in the second row and Zoe Harrison at fly-half to the starting XV. Kelsey Clifford, Rosie Galligan and Holly Aitchison join Rowland among the replacements as a result.
Elsewhere, Abby Dow and Jess Breach make up the three-quarters alongside Kildunne with Meg Jones and Tatyana Heard the centre partnership once again.
The captain Zoe Aldcroft starts at blindside flanker with Sadia Kabeya at openside and Alex Matthews at No8. Morwenna Talling starts again in the second row after being named player of the match against Scotland.
Hooker Amy Cokayne and tighthead prop Maud Muir start in the front row and link up with Botterman for the third time this tournament.
The head coach John Mitchell said: “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.
“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 have faced challenges, and that will drive them – we expect it. We don’t need to be perfect, just effective, focused, and ready for the fight. We’re excited and ready to hunt them.”
Whoever wins the semi-final will face either Canada or New Zealand in the final with their last four match taking place on Friday.
England Kildunne, Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft, Kabeya, Matthews. Replacements Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland
