Mitchell hails Kildunne after semi-final triumph

ELLIE Kildunne was acclaimed as "special" by England head coach John Mitchell after she conjured two sensational finishes to help clinch a place in next Saturday's Women's Rugby World Cup final.

- DUNCAN BECH

The Red Roses will meet Canada at Allianz Stadium after emerging from their first true test of the tournament against an outstanding France side.

A hard-fought win was founded on the graft of the defence, but it was the individual brilliance of England's free-spirited 26-year-old fullback that lit up the semifinal in Bristol.

"Ellie's special and she deserves her accolades as last year's world player of the year," Mitchell said.

"She's still very young. Everyone puts her on a poster, but she's a very humble girl. She does photography and other bits and pieces she just loves being creative.

"She's not a woman who you box. She's inspired by autonomy. She only needs a little bit of structure.

"She's dealing with life very well because she's put on a pedestal and that's quite new to her in her life.