London (AFP) - 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.

“We are adapting well to different situations and while we recognise Scotland have improved, we will still believe we can build pressure on them,” said England coach John Mitchell.

This is an exciting challenge that we’re ready for.”

- ‘Rachel Malcolm is Scotland ’ -

Scotland started the tournament with an emphatic 38-8 thrashing of Wales, a surprise scoreline given their close encounters in the Women’s Six Nations, and coach Bryan Easson has previously made it clear the Dark Blues have achieved their World Cup target in reaching the last eight.

Easson, set to bow out after the World Cup, was well aware of the task facing his side against England.

“We’ve probably not performed the best we can against them, but this is a great opportunity in terms of a World Cup quarter-final in their backyard, and performances would suggest that we are improving,” he said after naming his side on Friday.

Blindside flanker Rachel Malcolm will skipper Scotland for a record 53rd time.

“Rachel is Scotland,” said Easson. “She epitomises what we are about: leadership, passion, pride, power.

“If you look at the progress of the last three years, she’s been at the heart of it; it’s been the Rachel Malcolm era.”

Malcolm added: “To see what we’ve known has been building for a really long time come into fruition in the last couple of weeks has probably been the happiest time I’ve had, as part of this squad.”

Jade Konkel makes her first start of the tournament after Scotland’s 40-19 loss to fellow quarter-finalists Canada last weekend, with Rachel McLachlan now on the bench and Evie Gallagher moving to openside flanker to make way for the veteran No 8.

Scotland prop Christine Belisle, just months after retiring from Test rugby, has been thrust straight back into the starting side, having only being added to the World Cup squad on Monday following injuries to Elliann Clarke and Lisa Cockburn.