Kildunne ‘the difference’

England coach John Mitchell lauded the “phenomenal” Ellie Kildunne (above) after she marked her return with two tries in the 35-17 Women’s Rugby World Cup semifinal win over France in Bristol on Saturday.

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Fullback Dunne, who missed the tournament favourites’ quarterfinal rout of Scotland with concussion, scored England’s lone try of a first half that ended with her side just 7-5 ahead. But England ran in four tries after the break, including a superb solo score from Kildunne, the reigning World Player-of-the-Year, whose brilliant cross-field sprint from just inside the French half saw her evade several defenders.

“She was pretty special today wasn’t she?” said Mitchell of Kildunne after England reached their seventh successive World Cup final. “If she gets a bit of space, she is phenomenal.”