England's Ellie Kildunne: World Cup Winner Chasing Greatness

When Ellie Kildunne scored a wonder try in front of 82,000 roaring fans at Twickenham, she didn't just help England win their first Rugby World Cup. She announced herself as one of the sport's brightest stars, and she's just getting started.

The 26-year-old fullback was named World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year in 2024 and delivered moments of pure magic throughout England's World Cup triumph on home soil. But what makes Kildunne special isn't just her speed or skill, it's her refreshing honesty about wanting to be the best rugby player in the world, period.

"Not the best women's rugby player but the best player," Kildunne tells Rugby World. That might sound bold, but her World Cup highlights speak for themselves.

In the final against Canada, Kildunne created something from nothing. Working with slow ball on the short side, she saw a three-on-three defensive set that most teams would avoid. Instead, she spotted an opportunity invisible to almost everyone else in the stadium.

"You don't really train those moments," she says about the try that ignited Twickenham and shifted the game's momentum. Her instinct came from years of practice, allowing her to act without thinking when it mattered most.

Throughout the tournament, Kildunne delivered consistently brilliant performances. She set up Jess Breach's try against the USA with smart footwork, pounced on a French mistake in the semi-final, and produced that unforgettable final moment that sealed England's historic victory.

Why This Inspires

What sets Kildunne apart isn't just her talent. It's her mindset. "I hope I never get there," she says about being the best. "I want to always chase to be better."

She knows big-game players deliver big-game moments through consistency, not just one spectacular play. That's why she studies her own tries afterward, breaking down what she saw and why she moved the way she did, constantly searching for ways to improve.

"You never reach the top of the mountain," Kildunne explains. It's that hunger for growth that transforms talented athletes into legends.

After winning a World Cup and finishing runner-up for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, most players would celebrate reaching the peak. Kildunne is already looking up at the next summit, ready to climb.