Ellie Kildunne Departs Harlequins After Stellar Five-Year Tenure
Ellie Kildunne, the England full-back renowned for her pivotal role in the Red Roses' Rugby World Cup victory last year, is set to leave Harlequins at the end of the season. The 26-year-old joined Quins from Wasps in 2021, amassing an impressive 52 tries in 60 appearances. In her debut season, Harlequins were the defending Premiership Women's Rugby champions, but have since seen their dominance challenged by teams like Gloucester-Hartpury and Saracens. This season, Quins have missed out on the play-offs, making the semi-finals only twice during Kildunne's five-year tenure at The Stoop. Kildunne's next destination remains unknown. Although she did not comment on her departure in the club announcement, she expressed her sentiments on Instagram: "After five years at Quins, it’s hard to put into words how much this place has meant to me." "I’ve shared so many moments here - on the field, in the changing room, and with friendships that will stay with me long after I leave." "I wish everyone at Quins the best for what's next." In October, Kildunne indicated her openness to joining the breakaway R360 series, which aims to attract top talent from both men’s and women’s rugby. However, the launch has been postponed to at least 2028 due to challenges in gaining World Rugby ratification. Harlequins chief executive Laurie Dalrymple praised Kildunne's impact, stating, "Ellie has helped inspire a generation of female players... we want to wish Ellie every success in the future and thank her for her contribution to the club." Kildunne, who was named World Player of the Year in 2024, scored five tries, including a standout solo effort in the final against Canada at last year's World Cup. She is among several notable England players changing clubs, as Sale has signed Zoe Stratford and Tatyana Heard for the upcoming season.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-06-02