ELLIE KILDUNNE
Rugby World|September 2023
The Harlequins and England flyer is at the forefront of a new Red Roses era
Josh Graham
ELLIE KILDUNNE

IF YOU are into your photography, you may have heard the Eudora Welty line that “a good snapshot keeps a moment from running away”.

Fittingly, taking snaps is England full-back Ellie Kildunne’s new favourite hobby. On the pitch, she is the last line of defence, trying to stop opponents from escaping, and now off the field it is her memories she is clutching onto.

An injury just before the start of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations may have delayed her entry to the championship but it gave her side passion the time to flourish, the product of which you can see in its full glory across her socials.

“In terms of Instagram, a lot of people have a lot of negative things to say about social media. But especially as a female sportsperson, I don’t want to be known just as a rugby player,” Kildunne explains to Rugby World.

“I think it’s important that we showcase who we are as people as well, it also serves as a bit of a memory bank for myself.

“I believe that in the women’s game we don’t have enough pictures or videos taken of us to be able to put things on Insta. So I took it upon myself to buy quite an expensive camera. A costly injury buy; a bit of retail therapy.

This story is from the September 2023 edition of Rugby World.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2023 edition of Rugby World.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM RUGBY WORLDView All
ALL EYES ON ROSS
Rugby World

ALL EYES ON ROSS

OSS VINTCENT sees a lot of similarities between Exeter and Italy, the two teams for whom he struts his powerful, dynamic stuff. The 22-year-old No 8 recognises the crossover in age profile and mentality but is also well aware of the potential shared pitfalls, having been part of a young Chiefs group's struggles to back up an impressive breakout campaign.

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2025
BABY BLEU
Rugby World

BABY BLEU

Léo Barré is the latest in a line of young French stars hoping to bury the blues of last season's World Cup

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2025
Tom Voyce
Rugby World

Tom Voyce

RW pays tribute to the late England wing who was a key part of Wasps' golden era

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2025
"Scotland v Ireland is key to the whole shooting match"
Rugby World

"Scotland v Ireland is key to the whole shooting match"

Selection for the Lions four will hinge greatly on the Six Nations, says Stephen Jones. So who are the bolters who can force their way in?

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2025
Spanish steps
Rugby World

Spanish steps

It's a new era for los Leones and their impressive coach Pablo Bouza - and only qualification for the 2027 World Cup will do

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2025
OLD PRIORIAN RFC
Rugby World

OLD PRIORIAN RFC

Giving grass-roots rugby the love that it deserves....

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2025
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? MEL DEANE
Rugby World

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? MEL DEANE

I WAS at Wasps as a youngster, then signed for Richmond as a pro when I finished university in 1996. I played in Richmond's 106-12 win over Bedford in 1999 - still the biggest-ever Premiership victory.

time-read
1 min  |
March 2025
MY RUGBY WORLD WITH STUART MCINALLY
Rugby World

MY RUGBY WORLD WITH STUART MCINALLY

The ex-Scotland captain turned commercial pilot on Blair Kinghorn, lucky boxers and a famous try

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2025
"YOU'RE A LONG TIME RETIRED"
Rugby World

"YOU'RE A LONG TIME RETIRED"

After a ten-year hiatus, Rugby World editor Joe Robinson strapped the boots back on and returned to the rugby field

time-read
10 mins  |
March 2025
DOWNTIME WITH... Helena Rowland "I'd love to learn the fiddle and play country music"
Rugby World

DOWNTIME WITH... Helena Rowland "I'd love to learn the fiddle and play country music"

The Loughborough and Red Roses star on violin playing, air fryers and historical fiction

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2025