Ellie Kildunne’s touch in this year’s Women’s Six Nations is turning things to gold. The England full-back is not only the tournament’s top try-scorer with four but she also tops the charts for most points scored and in metres carried and gained. The Harlequins player, who will look to add to her stats against Scotland on Saturday, is undoubtedly in great form but she also has England’s expansive attack to thank for giving her the platform.
England’s attack has adapted under their new head coach, John Mitchell, and the attack coach, Lou Meadows. In previous tournaments fans have seen the Red Roses call upon their lethal driving maul often, with the backs not having as much time on the ball. However, England have now unleashed their back line as well as their forwards and maul, making their attack less predictable.
The England and Bristol prop Sarah Bern, who is currently injured, says it is clear the Red Roses are trying to play a bit differently: “They are trying to play and find the space and get it there the best way possible, which makes it really hard for defences. They [the opposition] can’t just drop two in the back field because England will run it. They can’t put everyone in the front field as England would kick it. So it is more of an elusive way of playing.”
Bern can also see how the attack is putting Kildunne on the front foot: “Our whole back three, even our outside centres, are getting on the ball a hell of a lot more. You’ll see more of them in more spaces because defences have to mark [the fly-half]Holly Aitchison, [the centre] Tatyana Heard. They have to mark the kicks from [the scrum-half] Natasha Hunt and Holly. The space is there, so if we get the ball to those people like Ellie who thrive in space …
“She is going to have a hell of a tournament, she is so far. But I do think it is down to the way England want to play, the players in the middle that control that and the brilliance of the pack that gets them the ball.”
Kildunne’s opposite number is the Scotland full-back Chloe Rollie, who set out how her team plans to stop Kildunne. “I think we need to shut them down further in the line to stop her getting her hands on the ball,” Rollie says. “We [also] need to be smart about when and where we are going to kick it.”
Bryan Easson’s side have put in impressive defensive shifts in their matches so far. Scotland players are top of the breakdown steals, cleanouts and lineout steals in the tournament. But if Kildunne is fed the ball, Rollie is not scared of the threat she poses. “She is just another player,” Rollie adds. “If she does get the ball you deal with her. Put her under pressure, put everyone under pressure. If we stick to the gameplan we want to play we have got nothing to worry about.”
Scotland’s attempt to stage an upset will be played in front of a record crowd for a women’s rugby game in Scotland – a 7,774 sellout at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh. England have not lost to Scotland since 1999 but Scotland’s performances and trophy win at the WXV2 last autumn has given them belief they can win.
“We would be silly not to think that,” Rollie adds on the prospect of an upset. “Especially after the performances we have put in the last few weeks. England are top in the world just now but there’s no reason someone can’t disrupt them and put them under pressure. The form we are under is the perfect opportunity to go and do that. The belief and confidence we have behind us will play a massive role.”
