Ellie Kildunne has set her sights on creating a 'dynasty' with England after securing another Women's Six Nations title and adding one of rugby's most prestigious individual awards to her already impressive resume.
Record-Breaking Victory
Kildunne was named player of the match and scored two tries as John Mitchell's Red Roses extended their winning streak to 38 games. The team secured a record eighth consecutive Women's Championship title and a fifth successive Grand Slam with a 43-28 victory over France in Bordeaux.
The 26-year-old full-back followed up that triumph on Monday by being awarded the Rugby Union Writers' Club Personality of the Year for 2025-2026, succeeding France star Louis Bielle-Biarrey and becoming the 50th winner of the Pat Marshall Memorial Award.
A Remarkable Season
Kildunne's achievements over the past year have been extraordinary. She was the standout performer in England's Women's World Cup victory last year, finished runner-up to golf superstar Rory McIlroy at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, received an MBE, and has seen her profile soar both on and off the field.
'We are always going to fight and make sure we are creating a team that is going to create a dynasty,' Kildunne said after the thrilling match in Bordeaux.
Comparisons to the Greatest
Red Roses coach John Mitchell believes his team's remarkable achievements merit consideration among the greatest rugby sides of all time, a sentiment Kildunne fully endorses.
'If you are going to go off stats it probably is true,' she said. 'You can't misjudge success. We train and work so hard to keep on being successful. We know everyone is chasing our tail and everyone wants to be the first team that beats England, but we keep on showing the world we are here to stay and be that successful team. We should be compared to the greatest ever out there.'
Overcoming Adversity
England's latest success came despite Mitchell being without four key players due to pregnancy and the team suffering a string of injuries throughout the Six Nations.
'If you look at the World Cup, the squad has changed massively since then whether that is through retirement, pregnancy or injury,' Kildunne said. 'This feels like the start of something new. We want to be a team that wins back-to-back World Cups. We will never be comfortable with winning however many Grand Slams or winning World Cups. We always want more. We always want better. We will keep pushing this team to heights that it has never been to before.'
A Historic Award
Kildunne is the fourth woman to claim the Rugby Union Writers' Club Personality of the Year award, following Maggie Alphonsi (2010), Emily Scarratt (2014), and Sarah Hunter (2022).
