Latest news with #Kildunne
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Ellie Kildunne confident Women's Rugby World Cup ‘heartbreak' can inspire England to glory
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox England star Ellie Kildunne believes the tournament hosts are "more than ready" to put an end to their Women's Rugby World Cup "heartbreak". LONDON – England star Ellie Kildunne believes the tournament hosts are 'more than ready' to put an end to their Women's Rugby World Cup 'heartbreak' as they seek to win the one trophy that has eluded them for so long. Host nation England head into the event as favourites, having lost only once in their past 58 matches – a defeat by New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final in which Kildunne played. England, top of the world rankings, have won six successive Six Nations Grand Slams and also defeated New Zealand's Black Ferns in each of the teams' past three meetings. Yet they have lost five of the last six World Cup finals to New Zealand, with 2014 – when England beat Canada in the showpiece match – their most recent global 15-a-side title. But for 25-year-old full-back Kildunne, this year's edition is an opportunity to put things right, with England launching the tournament against the United States in Sunderland on Aug 22. 'We've been building to this moment for the past three years since the last World Cup and we're more than ready,' she told AFP in an interview in London. Kildunne, now fully recovered from a leg injury, added: 'When the last World Cup happened, obviously it was heartbreak, it was heavy and that's only because we wanted it, that's because we cared about it so much. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots Singapore 5 new walking trails allow hikers to explore heritage sites and win supermarket vouchers World Trump advises Ukraine's Zelensky to 'make a deal' with Russia after meeting Putin World Did Putin just put one over Trump at the US-Russia summit on Ukraine? Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Singapore Nowhere to run: Why Singapore needs to start protecting its coasts now Life Switching careers in middle age and beyond: How these Singapore professionals did it Opinion Revitalise nightlife? Let's get the crowds out first 'And when you're out in New Zealand you have no idea what else is going on outside of the world. 'I felt a bit of guilt that I thought we were going to change women's sports, women's rugby if we won and it felt heavy when we didn't. 'But when we came back to England, I realised it was already changed, we'd already made an impact.' Professional women's sport is on the rise in England and in June, the Lionesses – the women's national football team – retained their European Championship title by beating world champions Spain in a penalty shoot-out in the final in Basel. 'We've learned so much from that and how much hard work and how sometimes it doesn't look pretty,' said Kildunne , a brand ambassador for leading rugby kit supplier Canterbury . 'But if you believe, if you've got that grit about you, if you really want something, you can make anything achievable. And that's something that I definitely learned from (them).' Kildunne, the reigning women's World Rugby Player of the Year, has scored an exceptional 41 tries in 53 Tests for England and is one of the most high-profile figures in her sport , as reflected by a large following on Instagram . But the charismatic Kildunne was clear on how she maintained a balance between her life on and off the field. 'When I'm in rugby mode, I'm in rugby mode,' she said. 'When I'm away from rugby, I'm away from rugby, and I still have the rugby thoughts are going on in my head. 'Sometimes it might be nine o'clock at night and suddenly I think of a new move and I'm like I need to message the coach because I've just thought of this move because I'm obsessed. 'Rugby is the priority, always will be the priority and I wouldn't have the social media following that I have got if it wasn't for the rugby.' The Red Roses, as the England women's rugby team are known, appointed New Zealand's John Mitchell as their coach in 2023 in a bid to help them take the elusive last step to World Cup glory. Mitchell, a former head coach of the men's All Blacks, has a reputation for being a stern disciplinarian but Kildunne said she had seen another side of the 61-year-old's character. 'I love him... he is not afraid to be unapologetically himself and what that does is it creates an environment that's safe to be yourself, authentically yourself,' she explained. 'He'll tell you straight if you're getting something wrong and he wants the best for you.' Kildunne added: 'You trust what he's saying, you trust when he's been lighthearted and when he's been serious for a reason. 'I love what he's done for the team. Coming in with such an open heart and vulnerability, that he's shown, allows us as players to give that back to him.' AFP
France 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Kildunne confident Women's Rugby World Cup 'heartbreak' can inspire England to glory
Host nation England head into the event as favourites, having lost only once in their past 58 matches - a defeat by New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final in which Kildunne played. England, top of the world rankings, have won six successive Six Nations Grand Slams and also defeated New Zealand's Black Ferns in each of the teams' past three meetings. Yet they have lost five of the last six World Cup finals to New Zealand, with 2014 -- when England beat Canada in the showpiece match -- their most recent global 15-a-side title. But for 25-year-old full-back Kildunne, this year's edition is an opportunity to put things right, with England launching the tournament against the United States in Sunderland on Friday, August 22. "We've been building to this moment for the past three years since the last World Cup and we're more than ready," she told AFP in an interview in London. Kildunne, now fully recovered from a leg injury, added: "When the last World Cup happened obviously it was heartbreak, it was heavy and that's only because we wanted it, that's because we cared about it so much. "And when you're out in New Zealand you have no idea what else is going on outside of the world. "I felt a bit of guilt that I thought we were going to change women's sports, women's rugby if we won and it felt heavy when we didn't. "But when we came back to England, I realised it was already changed, we'd already made an impact." 'Obsessed' Professional women's sport is on the rise in England and in June, the Lionesses -- the women's national football team -- retained their European Championship title by beating world champions Spain in a penalty shoot-out in the final in Basel. "We've learned so much from that and how much hard work and how sometimes it doesn't look pretty," said Kildunne, a brand ambassador for leading rugby kit supplier Canterbury. "But if you believe, if you've got that grit about you, if you really want something, you can make anything achievable. And that's something that I definitely learned from (them)." Kildunne, the reigning women's World Rugby player of the year, has scored an exceptional 41 tries in 53 Tests for England and is one of the most high-profile figures in her sport, as reflected by a large following on Instagram. But the charismatic Kildunne was clear on how she maintained a balance between her life on and off the field. "When I'm in rugby mode, I'm in rugby mode," she said. "When I'm away from rugby, I'm away from rugby, and I still have the rugby thoughts are going on in my head. "Sometimes it might be nine o'clock at night and suddenly I think of a new move and I'm like I need to message the coach because I've just thought of this move because I'm obsessed. "Rugby is the priority, always will be the priority and I wouldn't have the social media following that I have got if it wasn't for the rugby." The Red Roses, as the England women's rugby team are known, appointed New Zealand's John Mitchell as their coach in 2023 in a bid to help them take the elusive last step to World Cup glory. Mitchell, a former head coach of the men's All Blacks, has a reputation for being a stern disciplinarian but Kildunne said she had seen another side of the 61-year-old's character. "I love is not afraid to be unapologetically himself and what that does is it creates an environment that's safe to be yourself, authentically yourself," she explained. "He'll tell you straight if you're getting something wrong and he wants the best for you." Kildunne added: "You trust what he's saying, you trust when he's been lighthearted and when he's been serious for a reason. "I love what he's done for the team. Coming in with such an open heart and vulnerability, that he's shown, allows us as players to give that back to him."
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Kildunne confident Women's Rugby World Cup 'heartbreak' can inspire England to glory
England star Ellie Kildunne believes the tournament hosts are "more than ready" to put an end to their Women's Rugby World Cup "heartbreak" as they seek to win the one trophy that has eluded them for so long. Kildunne confident Women's Rugby World Cup 'heartbreak' can inspire England to glory Host nation England head into the event as favourites, having lost only once in their past 58 matches - a defeat by New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final in which Kildunne played. England, top of the world rankings, have won six successive Six Nations Grand Slams and also defeated New Zealand's Black Ferns in each of the teams' past three meetings. Yet they have lost five of the last six World Cup finals to New Zealand, with 2014 when England beat Canada in the showpiece match their most recent global 15-a-side title. But for 25-year-old full-back Kildunne, this year's edition is an opportunity to put things right, with England launching the tournament against the United States in Sunderland on Friday, . "We've been building to this moment for the past three years since the last World Cup and we're more than ready," she told AFP in an interview in London. Kildunne, now fully recovered from a leg injury, added: "When the last World Cup happened obviously it was heartbreak, it was heavy and that's only because we wanted it, that's because we cared about it so much. "And when you're out in New Zealand you have no idea what else is going on outside of the world. "I felt a bit of guilt that I thought we were going to change women's sports, women's rugby if we won and it felt heavy when we didn't. "But when we came back to England, I realised it was already changed, we'd already made an impact." Professional women's sport is on the rise in England and in June, the Lionesses the women's national football team retained their European Championship title by beating world champions Spain in a penalty shoot-out in the final in Basel. "We've learned so much from that and how much hard work and how sometimes it doesn't look pretty," said Kildunne, a brand ambassador for leading rugby kit supplier Canterbury. "But if you believe, if you've got that grit about you, if you really want something, you can make anything achievable. And that's something that I definitely learned from ." Kildunne, the reigning women's World Rugby player of the year, has scored an exceptional 41 tries in 53 Tests for England and is one of the most high-profile figures in her sport, as reflected by a large following on Instagram. But the charismatic Kildunne was clear on how she maintained a balance between her life on and off the field. "When I'm in rugby mode, I'm in rugby mode," she said. "When I'm away from rugby, I'm away from rugby, and I still have the rugby thoughts are going on in my head. "Sometimes it might be nine o'clock at night and suddenly I think of a new move and I'm like I need to message the coach because I've just thought of this move because I'm obsessed. "Rugby is the priority, always will be the priority and I wouldn't have the social media following that I have got if it wasn't for the rugby." The Red Roses, as the England women's rugby team are known, appointed New Zealand's John Mitchell as their coach in 2023 in a bid to help them take the elusive last step to World Cup glory. Mitchell, a former head coach of the men's All Blacks, has a reputation for being a stern disciplinarian but Kildunne said she had seen another side of the 61-year-old's character. "I love is not afraid to be unapologetically himself and what that does is it creates an environment that's safe to be yourself, authentically yourself," she explained. "He'll tell you straight if you're getting something wrong and he wants the best for you." Kildunne added: "You trust what he's saying, you trust when he's been lighthearted and when he's been serious for a reason. "I love what he's done for the team. Coming in with such an open heart and vulnerability, that he's shown, allows us as players to give that back to him." jdg/nr HOST HOTELS & RESORTS This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Ellie Kildunne eager to emulate Chloe Kelly and make England rugby team famous
The Harlequins full-back is brimming with confidence ahead of her country's quest for global glory on home soil and has taken inspiration from England's footballers retaining the European Championship title. Arsenal forward Kelly played a starring role in the Euro 2025 triumph in Switzerland after propelling herself into the limelight by scoring the winning goal in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley. Chloe Kelly played a starring role as England retained the European Championship title (Nick Potts/PA) Kildunne is key to the Red Roses' ambitions of lifting silverware at Twickenham next month and hopes the team can follow in the Lionesses' footsteps by becoming household names and raising the profile of women's sport. 'Outside this pub, there are Chloe Kelly shirts being sold on the street,' Kildunne, who is supporting Asahi Super Dry's campaign to have the tournament shown in pubs across the UK, told the PA news agency. 'That's what the Euros have done for the Lionesses and the opportunity we've got with this World Cup is to have Kildunne shirts being sold on the side of the street; for young girls and boys to have posters of Emily Scarratt and Meg Jones on their walls and not just Jonny Wilkinson. 'I'm inspired by the Lionesses and what they've done for women's football and I hope for nothing less (for women's rugby) than what they've been able to achieve so far.' England launch the World Cup on Friday, August 22 against the United States in Sunderland and will also face Samoa and Australia in Pool A. Ellie Kildunne is supporting Asahi Super Dry's campaign to have the Women's Rugby World Cup shown in pubs across the UK (Asahi/PA) The hosts go into the competition as rugby's top-ranked team, tournament favourites and having won the last seven Six Nations titles. After watching Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses come from behind in each of their knockout matches this summer, Kildunne feels John Mitchell's Red Roses may require similar resilience. 'Their ability to keep on fighting and not giving up is something that inspires a lot of people,' she said. 'As the Red Roses, it's something we can take inspiration from because it's not going to be straightforward, we're going to have to put a lot of graft in. 'I can't go anywhere without someone talking about the Women's World Cup or the Red Roses. We're going to have to get used to it because it's not going to slow down any time soon.' Kildunne cemented her status as a poster girl for the tournament by being crowned world player of the year following a standout 2024 which brought 14 tries in nine Tests. The 25-year-old is undaunted by the prospect of increased scrutiny. 'It will add that target on to my back; I see it as pressure but I don't think pressure is a bad thing,' she said. 'I see pressure as as privilege and I definitely think it's a good thing. I use the pressure to challenge myself to exceed people's expectations and to rewrite what people may think I can do and take it to the next level. 'I'm feeling strong and confident – the most confident I've ever felt, so I'm ready and raring to go.' Ready to battle on home soil 💪 The Red Roses squad for #RWC25 🌹 — Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) July 24, 2025 Kildunne was part of the England team beaten 34-31 by New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup final following an 18th-minute red card for team-mate Lydia Thompson. 'The disappointment and the heartbreak of the last World Cup reignited a flame inside me that I already thought was burning pretty bright,' she said. 'We've learnt so much from that tournament and built so much in our culture that we're in a completely different space. 'It's something that you can rewrite and that's something that we're very much focused on. It's not a revenge story, we're just rewriting.' :: Almost 1,000 pubs have signed up to Asahi Super Dry's Pub Pledge – a nationwide commitment to screen Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Ellie Kildunne eager to emulate Chloe Kelly and make England rugby team famous
The Harlequins full-back is brimming with confidence ahead of her country's quest for global glory on home soil and has taken inspiration from England's footballers retaining the European Championship title. Arsenal forward Kelly played a starring role in the Euro 2025 triumph in Switzerland after propelling herself into the limelight by scoring the winning goal in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley. Kildunne is key to the Red Roses' ambitions of lifting silverware at Twickenham next month and hopes the team can follow in the Lionesses' footsteps by becoming household names and raising the profile of women's sport. 'Outside this pub, there are Chloe Kelly shirts being sold on the street,' Kildunne, who is supporting Asahi Super Dry's campaign to have the tournament shown in pubs across the UK, told the PA news agency. 'That's what the Euros have done for the Lionesses and the opportunity we've got with this World Cup is to have Kildunne shirts being sold on the side of the street; for young girls and boys to have posters of Emily Scarratt and Meg Jones on their walls and not just Jonny Wilkinson. 'I'm inspired by the Lionesses and what they've done for women's football and I hope for nothing less (for women's rugby) than what they've been able to achieve so far.' England launch the World Cup on Friday, August 22 against the United States in Sunderland and will also face Samoa and Australia in Pool A. The hosts go into the competition as rugby's top-ranked team, tournament favourites and having won the last seven Six Nations titles. After watching Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses come from behind in each of their knockout matches this summer, Kildunne feels John Mitchell's Red Roses may require similar resilience. 'Their ability to keep on fighting and not giving up is something that inspires a lot of people,' she said. 'As the Red Roses, it's something we can take inspiration from because it's not going to be straightforward, we're going to have to put a lot of graft in. 'I can't go anywhere without someone talking about the Women's World Cup or the Red Roses. We're going to have to get used to it because it's not going to slow down any time soon.' A post shared by ELLIE KILDUNNE (@elliekildunne) Kildunne cemented her status as a poster girl for the tournament by being crowned world player of the year following a standout 2024 which brought 14 tries in nine Tests. The 25-year-old is undaunted by the prospect of increased scrutiny. 'It will add that target on to my back; I see it as pressure but I don't think pressure is a bad thing,' she said. 'I see pressure as as privilege and I definitely think it's a good thing. I use the pressure to challenge myself to exceed people's expectations and to rewrite what people may think I can do and take it to the next level. 'I'm feeling strong and confident – the most confident I've ever felt, so I'm ready and raring to go.' Ready to battle on home soil 💪 The Red Roses squad for #RWC25 🌹 — Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) July 24, 2025 Kildunne was part of the England team beaten 34-31 by New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup final following an 18th-minute red card for team-mate Lydia Thompson. 'The disappointment and the heartbreak of the last World Cup reignited a flame inside me that I already thought was burning pretty bright,' she said. 'We've learnt so much from that tournament and built so much in our culture that we're in a completely different space. 'It's something that you can rewrite and that's something that we're very much focused on. It's not a revenge story, we're just rewriting.' :: Almost 1,000 pubs have signed up to Asahi Super Dry's Pub Pledge – a nationwide commitment to screen Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.
