In a heart-stopping semi-final that will be remembered for years to come, Ellie Kildunne produced a moment of pure magic to send England to the Rugby World Cup final. The Red Roses' 25-19 victory over a ferocious French side was a testament to grit, skill, and a single moment of individual brilliance.
A Dazzling Moment of Genius
The match, locked in a tense arm-wrestle, was crying out for a hero. Step forward Ellie Kildunne. Collecting the ball deep in her own half, the full-back exploded through a gap, chipped the ball over the onrushing French defence with breathtaking audacity, regathered at full pace, and danced her way to the line. It was a try worthy of winning any match, and it ultimately did.
No Final Waltz for England
Despite the flash of Kildunne's genius, this was no comfortable victory. Head coach John Mitchell was quick to emphasise that the final will be "no waltz." France brought immense physicality, dominating the scrum and forcing England into uncharacteristic errors. The Red Roses' discipline wilted at times under the intense pressure, conceding a costly 17 penalties.
The victory was built on more than just one try. The boot of Holly Aitchison was crucial, slotting penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Ultimately, it was a win carved out by resilience, finding a way to triumph even when not at their fluid best.
All Eyes on the Final
The job is only half done. The Red Roses have secured their place in the final, but as Mitchell starkly warned, they must now "roll their sleeves up" for an even greater challenge. They await the winner of the other semi-final between New Zealand and Canada, knowing a performance of this nature will need significant refinement to lift the World Cup trophy.
