Ellie is the best in the world

SPOTLIGHT: England fullback Ellie Kildunne has been named World Rugby women’s 15s Player of the Year in Monaco on Sunday.

The 25-year-old edged out fellow nominees Alex Matthews, her English teammate, Canada’s Alex Tessier, and Pauline Bourdon Sansus of France to the 2024 award.

She becomes the latest England player to win the award, following the likes of Marlie Packer (2023), Zoe Aldcroft (2021), Emily Scarratt (2019) and Sarah Hunter (2016).

Kildunne has won her accolade after an impressive year that saw her crowned 2024 Women's Six Nations player of the championship, help England retain their WXV1 title, and score 14 tries in nine tests for the Red Roses.

She was also one of six England players included in the World Rugby women’s 15s dream team of the year. Six countries were represented in that selection, with Canada and New Zealand next best with three inclusions each.

Kildunne's award comes off the back of a year that also saw her represent Team GB at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they finished seventh.

In the last 12 months, the Harlequins back has become one of England's most recognisable women's rugby players having also moved into fashion design, and photography, and launching her own podcast with fellow Red Rose Jess Breach.

World Rugby women’s 15s dream team of the year: 15: Ellie Kildunne (England); 14. Abby Dow (England), 13. Slyvia Brunt (New Zealand), 12. Alex Tessier (Canada), 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (New Zealand); 10. Holly Aitchison (England), 9. Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France); 1. Hope Rogers (USA), 2. Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand), 3. Maud Muir (England), 4. Zoe Aldcroft (England), 5. Laetitia Royer (Canada), 6. Aoife Wafer (Ireland), 7. Sophie de Goede (Canada), 8. Alex Matthews (England).