England defeated Canada 50-24 in their first game since winning the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations.
The Red Roses were also in their first match without long-serving head coach Simon Middleton as they began a new era by putting on a classy attacking display, led by a starring display from Ellie Kildunne.
Canada kept themselves within touching distance before a late rally from England saw them surge to a strong victory at Sandy Park.
Kildunne kicks on
A goose step from Kildunne early into the game foreshadowed what was to come from the flying full-back in Exeter.
Kildunne combined pace with dainty footwork to regularly pose problems to the Canadian defence, going over for her first try on 24 minutes.
The 24-year-old weaved her away around three defenders on her way to the tryline as she scored England’s fourth.
Kildunne crossed again in the second half with more quick feet before using all of her athleticism and strength to stretch to the line.
World Cup winner Kat Merchant believed Kildunne had her best game in an England shirt as she awarded her Player of the Match, although the Keighley native has plenty of performances to challenge this one.
Defence to be worked on
The Red Roses are entering a new era after Middleton’s departure, with forwards coach Louis Deacon stepping in as interim head coach before John Mitchell arrives to take on the top job.
The transition has been most keenly felt in defence, who were put under pressure by Canada’s powerhouses.
While the backs saw only one change to the starting line-up from the Grand Slam Victory against France in April, the forward pack has been rejigged.
For Deacon, the errors are not cause for alarm, with England getting another chance to sharpen up before WXV1 when they take on the same opponents next week.
Deacon said: “There is a lot of areas to work on. We got lost a few times which is to be expected because it is all new to them, but it gives us things to work on.
“I thought we dropped off far too many tackles for my liking but that will only come with match sharpness and match fitness, and we will get better.”
A dream debut
Playing at your home ground and scoring a try on debut – life must be feeling pretty sweet for Maisy Allen, who also turned 22 during the week.
The Dorset native has worked her way up through the England age-grade teams, captaining the under-20s before being named in the 23 for the game at Sandy Park.
It meant she made her senior debut at her home ground as the Exeter Chiefs back row ran on to the cheers of over 9,000 fans in the South-West.
Allen capped off a special day with the final try of the game, slotting into England’s trademark driving maul and dotting down to take the Red Roses to a half-century of points.
Forwards show no signs of slowing down
England’s desire to build a new breed of forward was also on show as Sarah Bern continued her trademark of strong carries.
Bern wowed the crowds during the TikTok Women’s Six Nations with her impressive runs as the former centre showed she has still got it.
Her pace was matched by her power in the first half as she ended a carrying move by sending the ball up to front-row partner Mackenzie Carson, who raced to the tryline to score against her former side.
The forwards were not done there, as replacement Connie Powell plucked a looping pass out of the sky and drove forwards before sending the ball onto Kildunne for her second score.
Creativity across the pitch
The backs were not to be outdone, however, with the first score of the game showing England’s potential for flair.
Holly Aitchison may have handed over conversion duties to Helena Rowland but the fly-half’s boot got plenty of use.
Her precise cross-field kick found Kildunne, who combined well with Abby Dow before Rowland dotted down for the first score of the game in just the second minute.
Rowland’s second try featured another piece of audacious skill as replacement Claudia MacDonald tore down the touchline, keeping herself just within the paint before passing the ball onto the centre to score.
While the work-ons are clear for the defence, the backs will have to work hard to outdo themselves next week.
