Although the Red Roses came away with a resounding victory against Australia in Brighton on Saturday, their performance was marred with two of their key players, Hannah Botterman and Ellie Kildunne, being removed from the pitch due to injury.
Hannah Botterman's back injury
Botterman, who was replaced in the middle of the first half, worried fans as it was announced that she had suffered an acute back spasm. The prop, who plays domestically for the Bristol Bears, is renowned for her acute power and scrummaging technique, and has proved how much of an asset she is to the Red Roses this tournament, scoring twice in the group stages.
However, she later posted on her Instagram with the tongue-in-cheek caption ‘Just wanted some attention. Thanks for all the love’, allowing England fans across the country to let out a sigh of relief.
Botterman, alongside her prop partner Maud Muir, is a key pillar of the Red Roses’ forwards, and with the stakes quickly ramping up as England prepare to face Scotland in the quarterfinals this weekend.
Ellie Kildunne's concussion
However, back Ellie Kildunne was not as lucky. After an incredibly heavy tackle just five minutes into the second half took the fullback off the pitch for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA), and her permanent substitution was announced a few minutes later.
Obvious symptoms of concussion, like those that the fullback exhibited, quickly negate the need for a HIA, and launch the player into a strict set of recovery procedures.
Kildunne’s collision was flagged by the smart mouth guards that all players have to wear during this World Cup, which light up if a player experiences above a set level of collision or force.
In line with concussion recovery, Kildunne will now have to abide to a 12-day ban from playing, which means that she will not be able to take part in the semi-final against Scotland this Saturday in Bristol.
This is a real blow for the Red Roses, as Kildunne is currently World Player of the Year, and a driving force in both their offensive and defensive set ups.
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