Ellie Kildunne Aims for 2025 World Cup After Olympics

England full-back Ellie Kildunne has expressed her commitment to preparing for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup following her participation with Team GB’s sevens team at the Paris Olympics. The 24-year-old is currently training with Harlequins and the Red Roses, rejoining John Mitchell’s squad ahead of the upcoming WXV tournament this autumn. Kildunne emphasized the importance of being a consistent member of the squad as they gear up for the prestigious tournament. Having been named player of the tournament during the Women’s Six Nations earlier this year, Kildunne played a pivotal role in helping England secure another grand slam. The Red Roses are set to face New Zealand at Twickenham in September, a warm-up match that Kildunne believes could foreshadow a potential World Cup final. "There’s a lot of excitement going into it," she remarked, highlighting the significance of the upcoming clash. As the host nation, England is among the favorites to win the tournament, especially after their narrow defeat to New Zealand in the 2022 final. Kildunne expressed her enthusiasm for the home World Cup, noting the growing support from fans. "Each game that we play, more and more fans are coming out to watch us," she stated, underscoring the importance of showcasing powerful female athletes. Kildunne encouraged fans to attend the matches, promising an inspiring experience. "It’s going to be the place to be," she said, urging spectators not to miss the opportunity to witness top-tier rugby on home soil.