Ellie Kildunne stars for England, scoring two sensational tries in their Rugby World Cup semi-final victory against France.
In a match that tested England’s resolve and grit, it was the individual brilliance of a returning star that made the decisive difference. Ellie Kildunne, the reigning World Player of the Year, delivered a stunning two-try performance to propel the Red Roses to a hard-fought 35-17 victory over a resilient French side in the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final.
Her heroics at Ashton Gate, in front of a record-breaking crowd, have booked England a spot in next week’s final at Twickenham.
Kildunne, 25, who had been sidelined for England’s previous match against New Zealand due to concussion protocols, showed no signs of rust or hesitation. From the opening whistle, she was a constant threat, her blistering pace and elusive footwork causing chaos in the French defence.
A Blistering Start and a Comeback from Les Bleues
The Red Roses started with a fury, and it was Kildunne who struck the first blow. Just five minutes into the contest, she received a pass on the wing and, with a subtle step and a change of pace, breezed past her opposite number to touch down in the corner.
The crowd erupted, a sign of the immense anticipation surrounding her return. The early score, converted by fly-half Holly Aitchison, seemed to signal a comfortable afternoon for the tournament favorites.
However, France, a team known for their tenacity, refused to be cowed. They responded with a series of powerful scrums and a relentless defensive effort that forced England into uncharacteristic handling errors.
The French pack, in particular, dominated the collisions, and a well-worked maul try followed by a penalty reduced England’s lead to just three points at the half.
Kildunne’s Second-Half Heroics
As the second half began, the tension was palpable. The French side, buoyed by their comeback, looked poised to cause an upset. But as they pressed for a go-ahead score, Kildunne stepped up once again. In the 57th minute, with England on the back foot, she intercepted a loose French pass inside her own half.
Seeing an open field ahead of her, she put on the afterburners, fending off one defender and outsprinting another to score her second try from over 40 metres out. The try was a monumental moment in the match, giving England a comfortable lead and sapping the momentum from the French team.
Following Kildunne’s second score, the Red Roses found their rhythm, with the floodgates opening in the final 15 minutes. Prop Sarah Bern scored a thumping try from close range, and replacement halfback Leanne Infante sealed the victory with a well-taken score of her own.
The final score of 35-17 did not reflect the closeness of the contest for the first hour of the match, a testament to France’s unwavering effort and England’s struggle to find their rhythm outside of Kildunne’s individual genius.
Player of the Match and a Date with Destiny
For her two match-winning tries and her consistent threat in attack, Ellie Kildunne was rightly named the Player of the Match. Her performance underscored her status as one of the world’s most dynamic and dangerous players.
England will now face either New Zealand or Canada in the final next Saturday at a sold-out Twickenham Stadium. While the Red Roses have shown vulnerabilities, the return to form of their star player gives them immense confidence as they look to capture the World Cup title on home soil.
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