Red Roses Duo Stuck in Dubai, Missing Key Premiership Matches
Red Roses stars Ellie Kildunne and Sadia Kabeya will miss this weekend's Premiership Women's Rugby fixtures after getting stranded in Dubai. The England pair traveled to the United Arab Emirates last week, prior to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, and have been unable to return to the UK due to significant travel disruptions. As a result, full-back Kildunne, 26, will miss Harlequins' home fixture against Saracens on Saturday, while flanker Kabeya will be absent for Loughborough Lightning's trip to Sale Sharks. A joint statement from the RFU, Harlequins, and Loughborough Lightning confirmed: Both players have registered their presence with the UK government for updates and guidance. They are in ongoing contact with the RFU, PWR, and their respective clubs for support. The situation in the region remains tense, with airspace over the Middle East still restricted, leading to numerous flights being grounded across Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria, the UAE, and Israel. Over 140,000 Britons have registered with the UK's Foreign Office amid the escalating conflict, which has seen direct strikes in Dubai affecting the airport and several luxury hotels. Kildunne, a contender for the 2024 World Player of the Year, played a pivotal role in England's World Cup-winning campaign in 2025, while Kabeya was named player of the match in the final against Canada. Both players await a safe return to England as soon as possible.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-03-06