Ellie Kildunne

Ellie Kildunne is an English rugby union player who has played as a centre or fullback for Harlequins Women since 2021 and the England women’s national rugby union team since 2017. 

Kildunne was born on 8 September 1999 in Keighley, England. She began playing rugby at the age of seven, and joined Keighley RUFC, where she was the only female player. She also played rugby league for Keighley Albion. 

In 2017 she joined Gloucester-Hartpury for the 2017-18 season. In 2020, she moved to Wasps. Then, in 2021, she moved again, this time joining Harlequins. 

At just 18 years old, Kildunne made her international debut for England 15s in 2017, and scored a try against Canada. Her talents were evident and she was later called up to the England team for the 2018 Women’s Six Nations Championship. 

A couple of years later, Kildunne was part of the Red Roses’ 2021 Autumn International squad and won the 2022 Six Nations. In the same year she represented England and participated in the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

In 2024, Kildunne was the top try scorer in England’s Grand Slam-winning Six Nations campaign. Once again her excellence was noted and, in June 2024, she joined the British squad for the Olympic Games, where the team finished seventh. 

Kildunne has performed exceptionally well over the course of her career and her nomination for World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in November 2024 further solidifies her aptitude for rugby union. We can’t wait to see more great things from Kildunne in the near future.