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Kildunne shifts to wing and Burton to play at lock as England ring changes

Ellie Kildunne and Abi BurtonImage source, Getty Images
By
BBC Sport rugby union news reporter

Ellie Kildunne has been named on the wing, rather than in her regular full-back role, as part of a much-changed England line-up to face Scotland in the Women’s Six Nations on Saturday.

It is the first time the 26-year-old has started on the wing in the Six Nations.

Elsewhere Zoe Harrison, first-choice fly-half through last year’s victorious Rugby World Cup campaign, regains the 10 shirt from Holly Aitchison, while back row Abi Burton is deployed at lock where England’s depth has been severely tested.

Locks Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan are all pregnant and absent, while Morwenna Talling has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a leg injury in last weekend’s tournament opening win over Ireland.

Bristol’s 19-year-old rising star Demelza Short will make her debut in the back row, while Gloucester-Hartpury’s Emma Sing, a long-range kicking option, comes in at full-back.

Kildunne’s positional switch may give her quicksilver running skills more scope to shine out wide, but she will have to get to grips quickly with the different defensive demands of the role.

Scotland v England

Women’s Six Nations

Saturday 18 April, 13:30 BST

Scottish Gas Murrayfield

Live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Scotland fly-half Helen Nelson, who ranks fourth highest for the number of kicks out of hand in the English top-flight, may well look to exploit space around Kildunne, while Rhona Lloyd, who will line up opposite Kildunne, has scored 11 league tries for Sale so far this season.

“Emma Sing has been brilliant all season at full-back, so rightly she deserves the opportunity,” said England defence coach Sarah Hunter.

“But obviously, Ellie’s a world-class player and has that versatility to be able to play on the wing and the skill set to be able to play how we want.

“It’s pretty exciting to get two such in-form players playing alongside each other.

“And Abi [Burton] is such a brilliant character that she’s just gone ‘alright, I’ll put my head in there’

“She will do anything for for an England shirt, and if that means going in the second row, that means going in the second row. She’s been brilliant.”

Elsewhere prop Maud Muir wins her 50th cap for England as she starts at tighthead in place of Sarah Bern, who is part of a set of replacements which includes 112-cap Marlie Packer and Gloucester-Hartpury’s Mia Venner.

England are hunting their eighth successive Women’s Six Nations title, but are attempting to maintain their streak without a host of names who helped them to the World Cup last year.

Number eight Alex Matthews will miss the meeting with Scotland with a shoulder injury, while earlier on Thursday it was announced that prop Hannah Botterman had joined those sidelined for the tournament with an ankle injury.

“I think it’s quite unheard of within an England squad over the years,” said Hunter of the current glut of absences.

“If we think about it, in a four-year cycle, it’s almost good that we’re having this situation now, that we can grow and develop some of the younger players coming through – it might be accelerating them a little bit.”

Hunter and head coach John Mitchell will hope that the enforced changes will prove the making of a next generation of players, while maintaining the Red Roses’ grip on the tournament.

However Scotland, who will play in front of a 25,000-plus crowd at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in the biggest stand-alone women’s sporting fixture in their country’s history, will be primed to exploit any wobbles.

England: Sing; Breach, Jones (capt), Rowland, Kildunne; Harrison, L Packer; Clifford, Cokayne, Muir, Burton, Ives Campion, Short, Kabeya, Feaunati,

Replacements: Powell, Carson, Bern, Lutui, M Packer, Robinson, Aitchison, Venner

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Protests and another costly loss – pressure mounts on Rosenior’s Chelsea

ByNizaar KinsellaFootball Reporter at Stamford Bridge8 Hours ago664 CommentsThere was chanting of “we want to our Chelsea back” before kick-off Chelsea has gone nearly six and a quarter hours without a league goal. It’s not impossible, but it is a mountain we must climb. We have five games left and the pressure is on. Cunha gives Man United win at Chelsea to boost Champions League chancesIs Rosenior at risk? A few weeks ago, Rosenior cited the fact that he took charge of Chelsea when they were Chelsea lost to Manchester City and Manchester United despite having a free midweek to prepare. “I think we are behind Liam.” Behdad Eghbali, influential owner of the CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles, said, “It’s a business of results, but we believe he can be Eghbali acknowledged that the lack of managerial stability was a major factor in Chelsea’s recent failures. Or is the anger directed at the ownership? Image source, Getty ImagesThere is anger directed at Rosenior, but many Chelsea supporters also point the finger at Eghbali, Boehly and Image source: Getty ImagesOr is the anger directed at the ownership? There are signs that they are willing listen to some criticism, such as calls to recruit more experience players. “We acknowledge we need balance. Eghbali explained that you can tweak a model to improve it and learn from your mistakes. “We have a solid core, but need to add more experience to bring the team to a higher level and achieve consistency.” We are not blind to this. “However, failure of qualification for the Champions League will undermine any rebuild. Chelsea has spent around PS1.5bn in signings and despite recovering approximately PS750m from sales, they are still under financial scrutiny by Uefa. They have been fined for breaking their regulations. “When asked about Palmer’s remarks and the possible financial implications, Rosenior responded: “The honest response is that I don’t really know.” We’re still fighting, and we’ll deal with the situation at the end the season. While the protest movement is largely driven by younger fans, there are signs that older match-going supporters are apathetic. At full-time there were boos, and the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge has been getting quieter.

  

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Wild celebrations to verge of tears – time running out for Spurs

ByHarry PooleBBC Sport Journalist8 hours ago526 commentsFrom ecstasy, to agony, to elation in less than 20 minutes. De Zerbi, Tottenham’s head coach, told BBC Sport that the game was a draw because they conceded in extra time. “It is hard to accept. We must be stronger than what we are experiencing. We must move on and prepare ourselves for the next match. Former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand said to Sky Sports: “If it was the 90th, I could understand that. But there was still a lot of soccer left to play. “The reaction was not to jump into the crowd, but rather to keep it tight. “But former Premier League defender Ashley Williams said to BBC Sport that he had “no problem” with Spurs’ celebratory behavior. “The goal was important at that time.” “This team is able to win five games in a row,” the Italian told the media. On the surface, that faith would appear to be unfounded. The Italian told the media that his team was capable of winning five consecutive games. On the surface, this faith would seem unfounded. Spurs’ winless streak in the league is now at 15 matches. This is just one short the club’s longest winless league streak, which occurred 91 years ago. “I believe in my team and they must believe in me.” We can’t look backwards. De Zerbi said, “We have enough time and enough quality.” “I don’t like people that cry or think too negatively. “Tottenham’s Pedro Porro told BBC Sport that “after the game, we don’t need to be disappointed.” The best thing for me and my teammates is to keep pushing. “I thought the team today was very strong. The most important thing is to stay positive. The most important thing is to stay positive. “We must thank our fans.” They were amazing, they helped our players a lot, before, during, and after the game,” said De Zerbi. The players should feel lucky, because it is not normal for a stadium to be like this when you are fighting relegation. De Zerbi, who has been a “father figure” to his team, is not overloading them with information at this time. But there are signs that the players are beginning to adapt to his high-press style. It was a relentless pressing. The entire stadium was also rocking. Former Spurs defender Michael Dawson said on Sky Sports: “They must take the positives. This will feel as a loss. It was an opportunity to turn around their fortunes. “That’s something they’ll have to deal. I saw the passion, commitment and hunger. De Zerbi showed passion on the touchline. “I saw something that game, it has restored some confidence, but this is just a beginning. “Image source, Getty ImagesSpurs will travel to Wolves on Saturday, then to European hopefuls Aston Villa, and Chelsea to find crucial points. “They can change their mentality, and that’s the most important thing. Now it’s easy to think negatively but we need to focus and find the conditions to win again. “We will fight until the end and give our all in every game. If we can give our best then it’s still not over. “Today I saw signs. I saw blood, character and qualities, as well as organisation, both with and without the football. Everything to reach our goal. Spurs’ challenge may become even greater before they kick the ball again, as Nottingham Forest will host Burnley, and West Ham will face Crystal Palace in the next two days. Andy Reid, former Premier League midfielder, told BBC Radio 5 Live that Spurs will have to watch nervously as West Ham and Nottingham Forest play. “If both teams win, this point is not so good.” It’s going to be a stressful couple of days. “[embedded contents]What information do you collect from this quiz?” Related topicsPremier LeagueTottenham HotspurFootballMore about this storyLatest Tottenham News, Analysis and Fan ViewsAsk About Tottenham – What do you want to learn?

  

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Champion Zhao defeats Highfield after Virgo tributes

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Man Utd boost Champions League hopes with victory at Chelsea

Man Utd boost Champions League chances with victory at ChelseaThis is not available in the location you selected. There was an error.Manchester United are closer to booking their place in the Champions League next season after Matheus cunha scores the lone goal in their 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.MATCHREPORT: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United Only for UK users.Premier League33 Minutes agoShare pageAbout Sharing

  

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