When England women's rugby team fullback Ellie Kildunne was named World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year last November, she said, "I haven't even scratched the surface of my potential yet." The 25-year-old scored 14 tries in nine appearances for the Red Roses last season, and it seemed she simply needed to maintain her form ahead of the Rugby World Cup held on home soil in August. Her continued dedication to improving her skills is admirable and sets a high standard for her teammates.
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04-01, 2025However, Kildunne is constantly striving to become even better. After coming off the bench against Italy in York, she made her first start against Wales at the Principality Stadium, a match that drew a record crowd of 21,186 to watch a Wales women's team match, resulting in a dominant 67-12 victory. Kildunne, who plays for Harlequins, scored a hat-trick in her 50th appearance and was named Player of the Match, marking a stellar start to what could be the most important year of her rugby career to date. This achievement highlights her consistent performance and impact on the field.
Kildunne told BBC Two, "Pressure is definitely a privilege. Our potential is limitless. We are just going to keep getting better. I genuinely think we are going to get to levels that have never been seen before. We are just going to keep pushing until we can't imagine what's next." Her confident outlook and commitment to continuous improvement are inspiring and indicative of the team's overall ambition.
Two of Kildunne's three tries were relatively straightforward, while the third was an instinctive reaction after a kick. At halftime, Kildunne had yet to score. But by the 56th minute, her hand was raised above her head again, celebrating her third score. Kildunne completed the most carries (16) and meters (145) in the match, but her kicking ability was even more prominent. From clean chip kicks to creating chaos in the backfield, to using grubber kicks to disrupt the Welsh defense, Kildunne has expanded her game beyond being just a deadly counter-attacker. Her versatility makes her an even more valuable asset to the team.
England head coach John Mitchell told BBC Two, "She's starting to serve the team in different ways, and at some point, teams will stop her counter-attack. She is world-class at Plan A (running it back), but she has to adapt in 2025 because some teams won't let her get the ball. We have to use her in the right way." Mitchell's comments underscore the importance of adaptability and strategic planning in maximizing Kildunne's effectiveness on the field.
Kildunne was one of 13 changes Mitchell made to the starting lineup, with most of the key players returning. As they did last weekend, the Red Roses quickly took control of the match, completing a bonus-point try within 27 minutes. Number 8 Maddie Feaunati, who was named Player of the Match in York, further solidified her position in the back row with two powerful finishes. Welsh-born Meg Jones scored one of England's most impressive of the 11 tries, with incredible balance and footwork as she traversed her homeland. It was Jones' first appearance for the Red Roses since the passing of both her parents, and she pointed to the sky and patted her chest before crossing the try line. Her emotional performance added a poignant layer to the match.
Jones, 28, told BBC Two, "I haven't played here since I was 12. I got a bit emotional when the anthems were on. I just tried to enjoy it, and I know they would both be proud. I said this week that they would still be in the crowd. Well, my dad might have gone home because he hates the chaos of crowds." Fly-half Zoe Harrison demonstrated why Mitchell chose her over Holly Aitchison and Helena Rowland after an early drop on her own goal line, as she possesses a powerful kicking game in the wide expanses of the Principality Stadium. Her selection highlights the strategic considerations in team composition.
Saracens' Harrison assisted Abby Dow on two tries, one with a precise cross-field kick, and converted six conversions, hitting the post twice. Olympian Abi Burton, who had to relearn to walk and talk after being in a coma for 25 days in 2022, scored two tries on her debut. The 25-year-old adds to Mitchell's options at number 8, with regular Alex Matthews still to return to the back row after suspension. Burton's remarkable comeback story is an inspiration to her teammates and fans alike.
Burton told BBC Two, "When we were standing here doing the team run, I was just soaking it in. It's unbelievable to make my debut here, it's a dream come true." Katy Daley-McLean, England's 2014 World Cup-winning captain, added: "When Burton came out of her coma, she had lost over three stone (19kg), but she miraculously got back in time for the Sevens and played in her second Olympics in Paris before impressing again on her return to Trailfinders Women." Burton's resilience and determination are truly commendable.
The rest week gives Mitchell the opportunity to reflect on his two lineups from the first two matches before the Red Roses travel to Cork to face Ireland on April 12. He remains on track to achieve his ultimate goal of having two strong lineups ahead of the World Cup, while potentially securing a seventh Six Nations title. This strategic approach aims to maximize the team's chances of success in both the short and long term.
