‘Incredible’ Ellie Kildunne Turns on the Swagger as England Reach Women’s Rugby World Cup Final
It was nearing 10pm when Alex Tessier, captain of the Canadian rugby team, committed her first blunder of the evening. Fresh off an impeccable performance in her side’s semi-final triumph over New Zealand, Tessier faced the press and was quizzed on the buildup to the World Cup final. We’ll review and reassess tonight’s win and then quickly focus on England, she declared confidently.
Her head coach, Kevin Rouet, leaned in with a whisper, reminding her that the other semi-final was still underway. Maybe France! Pardon! Tessier exclaimed, her cheeks flushing as she corrected herself. In the end, her slip-up proved prophetic. The matchup is set: England’s Red Roses versus Canada’s Maple Leafs in a high-stakes autumn showdown at Allianz Stadium.
But for the better part of an hour during Saturday’s gripping semi-final at Ashton Gate, the second finalist hung in the balance. France trailed England by just two points, and any successful attack could have flipped the script. The atmosphere crackled with tension, the upbeat disco playlist during stoppages feeling oddly mismatched against the mounting drama.
Then came the decisive moment that allowed England’s supporters to exhale. In a play straight out of a highlight reel, star full-back Ellie Kildunne swooped in on a loose ball at full speed, evading four bewildered French defenders before crashing over the line for a try. The crowd erupted, and with that score, England sealed a convincing 35-17 victory, propelling them into the final.
Ellie Kildunne: The Face of the Women’s Rugby World Cup
Ellie Kildunne has become the unmistakable face of this tournament. Before every match, her vibrant voice echoes through the stadiums in an advertisement for the official beer sponsor. On this day, she turned heads with her flashy new cheetah-print boots, courtesy of her endorsement deal. In the weeks leading up to the event, her image adorned murals, billboards, and a barrage of social media campaigns designed to sell out tickets. It was a savvy choice—Ellie Kildunne delivers.
Whenever England’s starting lineup is announced, her name draws the loudest roar from the stands, surpassing even her teammates in popularity. She’s not just a marketing darling; she’s a talismanic presence on the field. Yet, up until this semi-final, England had been craving a signature performance from her to match the hype.
Kildunne had shown flashes of brilliance earlier: She dazzled against the United States on the tournament’s opening day, sat out the Samoa win due to rotation, underperformed slightly versus Australia, and missed the quarter-final against Scotland after a concussion. But against France, Ellie Kildunne unleashed the sustained brilliance that clinched her the World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year award last December.
In a standout display, she beat an astonishing 12 defenders—more than anyone else on the pitch, where the next highest was just three. She racked up a game-high 208 meters with ball in hand, her footwork a masterclass in evasion and acceleration. Beyond the stats, her subtler contributions were vital: She secured every high ball in the backfield and powered through contact with unyielding resilience.
Head coach John Mitchell noted how Ellie Kildunne‘s form injected a newfound swagger into the entire team. The Red Roses played with flair and confidence, evident in their celebrations. Winger Megan Jones, who secured one of four crucial turnovers, channeled footballer Cole Palmer with a cool ‘cold’ gesture. Prop Hannah Botterman, equally dominant, rose from a ruck triumphantly flashing three fingers to tally her own wins. Hooker Amy Cokayne cheekily waved at the French front row after winning a scrum penalty. And Ellie Kildunne herself? After hushing France captain Marine Menager during a heated second-half exchange, she capped her tries with her signature square-dance lasso celebration.
Post-match, as Ellie Kildunne accepted the Player of the Match award, she humbly quipped that she had stolen it from her teammates. But the praise poured in from all corners. She was pretty special today, wasn’t she? If she gets a bit of space, she is phenomenal, Mitchell enthused. Former New Zealand Black Fern Ruby Tui added, The metres she made were incredible, her footwork was incredible. The pressure was on her—she hadn’t performed at her peak in a couple of games, sat out with a head injury assessment last week. She had to deliver for herself, her country, and her confidence. And this is what happens: She turns up, she’s in your face, and she says, ‘What pressure?’
Former England head coach Simon Middleton echoed the sentiment: Ellie Kildunne was unplayable. When you have a player like that receiving the ball in space, she’s going to cause some damage. She said a couple of years ago, ‘I want to be the best player in the world.’ She is the best player in the world, and she proved it today.
Challenges Ahead: England’s Path to Glory
With Ellie Kildunne leading the charge, England marches into the final as clear favorites. They top the world rankings by a wide margin, having reached six consecutive World Cup finals. But Canada’s emphatic dismantling of New Zealand in the other semi-final signals that the gap may not be as insurmountable as the stats suggest. Under Rouet’s guidance, the Maple Leafs displayed all-court prowess, blending physicality with precision.
Watching from premium seats at Ashton Gate, Rouet would have spotted exploitable weaknesses in England’s game. Their backline, usually fluid, struggled to click against France’s relentless pressure. Inside centre Tatyana Heard appeared off-pace, potentially opening the door for Holly Aitchison—a substitute who sparked the final try for Jones—to start and inject more creativity. Mitchell might tinker with the lineup for better cohesion, though such changes risk disrupting the rhythm.
France’s swift passing repeatedly outflanked England’s rush defense, leaving the wings vulnerable. Additionally, England has a recurring issue: surrendering momentum right after gaining it. France capitalized on this twice, with Nassira Konde’s second try and Kelly Arbey’s score following England’s own scores by Kildunne and Cokayne.
Mitchell’s preparation this week will zero in on these flaws—tightening defensive edges, sustaining pressure phases, and fostering attacking flow. But the biggest challenge? Mental fortitude. This seventh straight final, on home soil at Twickenham with a record 82,000 fans and sky-high expectations, represents uncharted territory for the Red Roses and women’s rugby alike. The pressure of performing under the spotlight, especially with Ellie Kildunne as the beacon, will test their resolve.
Ellie Kildunne and England: Ready for the Ultimate Test
As the tournament builds to its crescendo, all eyes will be on Ellie Kildunne to reprise her starring role. Her ‘incredible’ swagger not only carried England past France but reignited the nation’s passion for women’s rugby. In the final, she’ll face a Canadian side hungry to defy the odds, led by the poised Tessier.
England’s quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup title hangs in the balance. With Kildunne’s dynamism at the helm, the Red Roses are poised to shine. But in this blockbuster, anything can happen—expect thrills, spills, and history in the making.
