Ellie Kildunne: England star brings swagger to World Cup semi-final win

Before every match, her voice swirls around the stadium as part of an advert for the tournament’s official beer.

Today, she sported new cheetah-print footwear as part of the deal with her boot sponsor. For weeks in the build-up to the tournament she was plastered on murals, billboards and countless social media posts to push tickets.

She has been a good pick. Every time England’s team is announced, her name is cheered the loudest. Her popularity outstrips every other player in the tournament.

But, until now, England have been waiting for an A-list performance on the pitch.

Kildunne sparkled at times against the United States on the opening day, was rotated for the win over Samoa, was short of her best against Australia and then missed the quarter-final win over Scotland with concussion.

This though was the sort of sustained glitter that earned her the world player of the year award last December.

She beat 12 defenders – no-one else on the pitch managed more than three- en route to amassing an eye-popping game-high total of 208 metres with ball in hand.

Perhaps most importantly for head coach John Mitchell were the less obvious bits. She fielded everything in the backfield and was strong through contact.

Maybe it was coincidental, but with Kildunne in the line-up, there was also a touch more swagger to England as well.

The superb Megan Jones celebrated one of four turnovers with a Cole Palmer-style ‘cold’ celebration.

Hannah Botterman, equally impressive, emerged from the depths of a breakdown, brandishing three fingers to mark her own tally.

Amy Cokayne gave the France front row a cheery wave after earning a penalty at the scrum.

And, of course, Kildunne, who hushed France captain Marine Menager after a second-half scuffle, threw up a lasso as part of her usual square-dance celebration after her tries.