Helena Rowland: England's versatile star steps up in place of Ellie Kildunne
With Ellie Kildunne sidelined, Helena Rowland moves from bench to full-back for England’s World Cup quarter-final against Scotland, showcasing her versatility and kicking prowess.
Women's Rugby World Cup Quarter-final: England vs Scotland
Venue: Ashton Gate, Bristol Date: Sunday, 14 September Kick-off: 16:00 BST
Coverage: Live on INLIBER One, Sports Extra Two and INLIBER Sport website and app
England head coach John Mitchell has highlighted Helena Rowland as his most indispensable player despite her customary bench role. Until now, Rowland has come off the bench in four of five Six Nations matches and started only once so far in this World Cup.
With star full-back Ellie Kildunne ruled out by concussion, Mitchell has turned to Rowland for Sunday’s quarter-final against Scotland. Known for her vision, precise kicking and ability to read space, Rowland can cover every position from scrum-half to full-back.
Her standout performance came against Samoa, where she scored a Women’s World Cup record 27 points, landing 11 conversions and crossing for a try. That accuracy off the tee reassures England, especially with fly-half adjustments ahead of the Scotland clash.
Although losing Kildunne is a blow, her backfield positioning was exposed by Australia, while Rowland’s recent 35-minute cameo highlighted her playmaking ability and attacking flair.
Rowland’s path from Saracens to Loughborough Lightning and her early battles for the fly-half jersey have shaped her as the ultimate backline utility. Once the bench’s secret weapon, she now commands the spotlight in Bristol.
Rowland’s versatility and reliable kicking ability make her the ideal replacement at full-back, easing England’s concerns after Kildunne’s injury.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
Discover the latest news and current events in Sports News as of 13-09-2025. The article titled " Helena Rowland: England's versatile star steps up in place of Ellie Kildunne " provides you with the most relevant and reliable information in the Sports News field. Each news piece is thoroughly analyzed to deliver valuable insights to our readers.
The information in " Helena Rowland: England's versatile star steps up in place of Ellie Kildunne " helps you make better-informed decisions within the Sports News category. Our news articles are continuously updated and adhere to journalistic standards.