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Ellie Kildunne named World Rugby women's 15s player of the year
By Liam Heagney reporting from Monaco
England’s Ellie Kildunne has been named World Rugby women’s 15s player of the year in Monaco. The 25-year-old beat fellow nominees Alex Matthews, her English teammate, Canada’s Alex Tessier and Pauline Bourdon Sansus of France to the 2024 award.
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Kildunne was also one of six England players included in the World Rugby women’s 15s dream team of the year. Six countries were represented in that selection, with Canada and New Zealand next-best with three inclusions each.
USA, Ireland and France completed the XV, each contributing one representative.
Ireland’s Erin King was named 15s breakthrough player of the year, while 15s try of the year went to Marine Menager of France.
World Rugby women’s 15s dream team of the year: 15: Ellie Kildunne (England); 14. Abby Dow (England), 13. Slyvia Brunt (New Zealand), 12. Alex Tessier (Canada), 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (New Zealand); 10. Holly Aitchison (England), 9. Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France); 1. Hope Rogers (USA), 2. Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand), 3. Maud Muir (England), 4. Zoe Aldcroft (England), 5. Laetitia Royer (Canada), 6. Aoife Wafer (Ireland), 7. Sophie de Goede (Canada), 8. Alex Matthews (England).
I was at the 6N match against Ireland at Twickenham. The roar of anticipation every time Ellie got the ball was amazing.
Surprised at some of the "dream team", who would not get into a Red Roses squad.
Very well deserved.