Wales 12 England 67
It takes something special for an England player to be cheered in Cardiff, let alone to have their every touch exalted by an adoring audience.
Ellie Kildunne is that sort of distinct individual; one who is riding the crest of a wave at the very top of her sport. The 25-year-old full-back plundered an eight-minute hat-trick here, celebrating a 50th cap in some style and allowing her team to pull away from a spirited Wales outfit in front of more than 21,000 supporters.
Kildunne is a confident character who appears to relish the limelight. That is just as well, because she will front various advertising campaigns over the coming months. Her prominence off the field as a figurehead of the Red Roses is justified by consistent excellence on it. She scans defences and darts between defenders, demonstrating deceptive power in contact.
A healthy competitive edge was in evidence during the first half, when Jess Breach’s try was chalked off after it was adjudged that a floated miss-pass from Kildunne had drifted forwards. If England are to fulfil their aim of winning the World Cup, these details must be polished. You sense Kildunne, who clearly believed her pass was flat, will be game for such a challenge.
When Helena Rowland replaced Kildunne in the 72nd minute, the place went wild in recognition of the reigning World Player of the Year, who has bigger aims – namely a home World Cup – for 2025. “It can’t be better than that, you couldn’t write it or imagine it,” Kildunne said afterwards.
“We still have lots to work on but on my 50th cap to play with this incredible crowd and incredible stadium, I’m very honoured and proud. Every time we step out as an England squad, we want to surprise and raise expectations. We’re not at our best yet, we’ll keep getting better and there is more to come.”
Ultimately, the visitors registered their own half-century with a scoreline that was hauntingly similar to the one managed by Steve Borthwick’s men just a fortnight previously on the same turf.
Maddie Feaunati was another star at the base of the scrum, bagging a brace of her own. Abby Dow landed a predatory double out wide, with Abi Burton scoring two mightily popular tries from the bench on Test debut in the final 10 minutes.
But there were reasons for Sean Lynn to be heartened. His Wales ...
