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England captain Aldcroft back for Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final / Photo: © AFP
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England captain Aldcroft back for Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final
England captain Zoe Aldcroft will return from injury to lead the tournament hosts in their Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Scotland in Bristol on Sunday.
Aldcroft missed the thumping pool wins over Samoa and Australia after suffering a blow to the side of her knee during England's resounding defeat of the United States in the tournament opener.
But with the World Cup entering the knockout phase, the 28-year-old was restored to the back row in the starting team announced by England coach John Mitchell on Friday, with Abbie Ward dropping down to the bench.
In the backs, fly-half Holly Aitchison makes her first start of the tournament following a successful comeback from an ankle injury as a replacement against Australia last Saturday.
World player of the year Ellie Kildunne is unavailable as she completes a 12-day stand down period because of concussion symptoms arising from England's final Pool A game against Australia.
Helena Rowland is at full-back after she edged out Emma Sing for the No 15 shirt.
England have made four changes to the side that hammered Australia 47-7, with Kelsey Clifford in at loosehead prop for Hannah Botterman, who is struggling with a back spasm.
The Red Roses are bidding to break their own record of 30 succesive Test wins on Sunday, having been undefeated since losing the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final to New Zealand in Auckland.
England are overwhelming favourites given they last lost to Scotland back in 1989, with the average points difference in the past five meetings between the rivals extending to nearly 50 in their favour.
"The first stage of the tournament is behind us and now we enter a new stage of the competition that has an end point," said England coach John Mitchell.
"We are adapting well to different situations and while we recognise Scotland have improved, we will still believe we can build pressure on them. This is an exciting challenge that we're ready for."
O.Zawadzki--GL
