Ellie Kildunne, the electric winger who once scored five tries in a single Women’s Six Nations campaign, is trading The Stoop for Ashton Vale. The 25-year-old Red Roses star, capped 62 times and armed with 48 international tries, will join Bristol Bears for the 2026-27 Premier Women’s Rugby season, marking a bold new chapter in one of the most dynamic careers in women’s rugby. Her move isn’t just a shift in jerseys—it’s a signal of the sport’s accelerating momentum, where elite athletes are increasingly valued not only for their speed and skill but for their influence beyond the pitch.
Kildunne’s decision carries weight. A World Player of the Year and central figure in England’s fifth consecutive Grand Slam triumph, she brings star power and substance to a Bristol side eager to climb the PWR table after a disappointing eighth-place finish. Yet her choice wasn’t driven solely by ambition on the field. It was the club’s track record of supporting high-profile players—like Ilona Maher, Ruahei Demant, and even men’s recruit Louis Rees-Zammit—that helped tip the scales. "I didn’t know whether I was quite ready to move house and go across to the West Country," Kildunne admitted, reflecting on a previous hesitation. "But the world has a funny way of telling you it’s time to move on."
Now, she sees Bristol as the ideal environment to balance her dual roles: world-class athlete and growing ambassador for the game. "Bristol have worked with players who have maybe stepped out of just being the rugby players," she said, underscoring how the club’s support for players’ broader ambitions made the difference. "It’s definitely something that was a huge positive."
On the pitch, Kildunne will reunite with England teammates Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Abbie Ward, and Lark Atkin-Davies, while also lining up alongside rising talent Millie David, whom she affectionately calls "Millie Wizz." Kildunne praised David’s pace and potential, saying, "I’m excited to keep on growing that bond. I think we can get the best out of each other on the pitch."
Born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, and having started her club journey with Wasps before joining Harlequins in 2021, Kildunne’s career has been a steady climb. Now, with a World Cup win and global recognition behind her, she’s focused on what’s ahead. "I feel the best is still yet to come," she said—words that resonate not just for her, but for the future of women’s rugby in England.