# From Barbie doll to bench – how Ellie Kildunne slipped from Red Roses’ XV

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/from-barbie-doll-to-bench-how-ellie-kildunne-slipped-from-red-roses-xv/
- Published: 2026-10-30T16:22:55+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T17:40:08+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cmy832jv00p1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Sport

## Key points

- Kildunne is benched after a dip in consistency.
- Emma Sing starts at full-back against the USA.
- Kildunne’s average defenders beaten fell to 4.2 this year.

## Summary

Ellie Kildunne has been left out of England’s starting side for Friday’s match against the USA after a difficult run of form. Head coach John Mitchell says she still brings great value, but stresses that consistency and competition for places matter across the Red Roses.

Kildunne, 27, has made 33 appearances since the start of 2024, mostly at full-back, and remains a major threat for metres gained and breaking the gainline. But her average defenders beaten has fallen from six per match in 2024 to 4.2 in 2026, and she conceded more penalties this year than in either of the previous two. Emma Sing, who has three league titles with Gloucester-Hartpury, starts at full-back after impressing with her reliability and kicking, while Kildunne is on the bench.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.