Rugby Star Ellie Kildunne on Winning After Winning Big

Ellie Kildunne scored a brilliant solo try in front of 82,000 fans to help England win the Rugby World Cup in September. Four weeks later, she was back playing club rugby for Harlequins in front of just 2,929 people, wondering why she felt so empty after achieving her biggest dream.

"I went from playing Guitar Hero every night with my teammates to going back to living on my own in Reading," the 26-year-old star told BBC Sport. "Suddenly I was like 'wow, I feel really alone.'"

The emotional dip caught Kildunne by surprise. She had just been named 2024 World Rugby women's player of the year and delivered England's first World Cup victory in 11 years, yet returning to normal life felt jarring and isolating.

The journey to that final wasn't smooth either. Kildunne struggled in the pool match against Australia, making uncharacteristic errors before leaving with a concussion shortly after halftime. The injury put her World Cup in jeopardy.

But she fought back. Kildunne returned for the semifinal against France and scored twice, including another remarkable solo try that reminded everyone why she's considered the best in the world.

"I don't crumble under that pressure, I kind of rise to it," she explained. "That's only because of the people around me."

Why This Inspires

Kildunne's honesty breaks an important silence around post-achievement letdowns. Even world champions experience emotional valleys after their peaks, and talking about those feelings matters just as much as celebrating the wins.

Her vulnerability makes her victory more human and relatable. By sharing her struggle, Kildunne shows that needing support doesn't diminish success. It's part of it.

The full-back has rediscovered her motivation by focusing on what's ahead. She's helping Harlequins push for the playoffs and will return to Allianz Stadium on Saturday when over 70,000 fans watch England's Six Nations opener against Ireland.

"I still want to be the best player in the world," Kildunne said. "I want to win another World Cup. I want to win a Prem. There is so much I still want to do."

Her message is clear: feeling alone after big moments is natural, but connection and new goals help us move forward. Champions aren't people who never struggle. They're people who keep rising.