he final time the Red Roses performed at Twickenham, they sang the nationwide anthem to rows of rugby shirts protecting empty seats.

Tomorrow, Simon Middleton’s aspect will belt out God Save The King in entrance of greater than 53,000 paying punters packed into English rugby’s headquarters for a Six Nations Grand Slam decider towards France.

England beat France 25-23 behind closed doorways at Twickenham in November 2020, with membership jerseys protecting seats in a pandemic initiative to convey the absent followers nearer to the motion.

Fast ahead lower than three years, and England will set a brand new world report for a ladies’s Test-match crowd this weekend.

“It doesn’t feel that long ago we were singing the anthem to shirts that had been put onto seats,” full-back Ellie Kildunne informed Standard Sport.

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“We were pretending we had a crowd to sing to. The turnaround’s been epic, people have really got behind us. The World Cup really showed what women’s rugby is all about.

“But now to have the opportunity to play at Twickenham, it is really showing how many people are actually interested.”

At 23, Kildunne already has seven years of Test rugby behind her, and tomorrow she is going to win her thirty fourth cap. The Keighley native has solely identified England life below Middleton, the pinnacle coach who will finish his eight-year tenure tomorrow.

Middleton has propelled England to an prolonged keep on the high of the world rankings, with solely a World Cup crown lacking, after November’s 34-31 defeat within the remaining by hosts New Zealand.

“I’ve known Midds since I was about 15,” mentioned Kildunne. “Simon’s daughter, Cara, played for Castleford and I played for West Park Leeds growing up.

“But my first real interactions with him would have been in England camp. I went for a chip and chase in a session all about structure and building phases, and he was not happy!

“He’s pushed me very hard in the right way and it’s made me the player I am today. A few of us were talking the other day and it doesn’t really feel it’s actually happening that he’s leaving.”

Kildunne traded Yorkshire for Hartpury College in her teenagers, earlier than excelling with Wasps and now Quins.

Now boosting confidence nonetheless additional via England’s “collision craft” coaching and tailor-made weights classes, she is an skilled campaigner wrapped up in a veritable teen.

To have the chance to play at Twickenham, it's actually displaying how many individuals are literally desirous about ladies’s rugby

“I don’t want to have experience relevant to my age, I want to be an experienced player for the memories I’ve made,” mentioned Kildunne. “I don’t want to be ‘experienced’ at the end of my career, I want to benefit from that while I’m still playing.

“Collision craft sessions are honing technique, and it’s really moved my game forward and boosted my confidence. You feel ready for anything.”

Middleton should be prepared for a step into the unknown subsequent week when he leaves Twickenham. Asked for the key to his success, he merely credited others. “I’ve just had a load of great players to work with,” he mentioned.

“I hope England fill Twickenham and win the World Cup at home in 2025. We need two or three national sides to get closer to the best teams. Selling 53,000 tickets puts pressure on others to respond positively.”