Ellie Kildunne: England full-back felt ‘really alone’ after World Cup win
The 2024 World Rugby women’s player of the year maintained her impressive form throughout last year but missed the World Cup quarter-final win against Scotland after suffering concussion in England’s recent pool win over Australia.
Kildunne, who left the team shortly after half-time, had struggled against the Wallaroos and made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes.
He was recalled for the semi-final against France and scored twice before the final to remove any doubts about his form – including another remarkable solo try.
“When I look back at moments in the World Cup, I probably didn’t play my best game against Australia for a number of reasons,” Kildunne said.
“Then of course I had the concussion and that increased the pressure on me. Will I come back? Will I come back for the semi-finals or will I come back for the final? We had to see how far we would get in the tournament.
“I don’t collapse under this pressure, I can kind of handle it and that’s only thanks to the people around me.
“That’s nothing, yeah, there’s probably something genetically in my brain and heart that weirdly likes that kind of thing.”
With Harlequins four points off the play-off places in the Premiership Women’s Rugby table, Kildunne is rediscovering her passion for success.
More than 70,000 tickets have been sold for the Red Roses’ Six Nations opener against Ireland at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Kildunne said it would be “very special” to return to represent England at the venue where he won the World Cup.
In December the full-back helped the Quins beat Bristol Bears at the Allianz Stadium and scored another individual try on English rugby’s return home.
John Mitchell’s target this season will be an eighth consecutive title but Kildunne is looking beyond that and using the 2029 World Cup in Australia as motivation.
“I still want to be the best player in the world and keep playing rugby,” he added. “I want to win another World Cup. I want to win the Prem. There’s still so much I want to do.”
