Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France
37 - 35
FT
Women's Internationals

Ellie Kildunne named World Rugby women's 15s player of the year

By Liam Heagney reporting from Monaco
England's Ellie Kildunne poses with the trophy after she won the World Rugby women’s 15s player of the year (Photo by Frederic Dides/AFP vi Getty Images)

England’s Ellie Kildunne has been named World Rugby women’s 15s player of the year in Monaco. The 25-year-old beat fellow nominees Alex Matthews, her English teammate, Canada’s Alex Tessier and Pauline Bourdon Sansus of France to the 2024 award.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kildunne was also one of six England players included in the World Rugby women’s 15s dream team of the year. Six countries were represented in that selection, with Canada and New Zealand next-best with three inclusions each.

USA, Ireland and France completed the XV, each contributing one representative.

Ireland’s Erin King was named 15s breakthrough player of the year, while 15s try of the year went to Marine Menager of France.

Video Spacer

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Current Time 0:00
Duration 1:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 1:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    ‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

    Ticket applications for all Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 matches are now open! Apply now for your chance to watch the biggest-ever celebration of women’s rugby.

    Apply now

    World Rugby women’s 15s dream team of the year: 15: Ellie Kildunne (England); 14. Abby Dow (England), 13. Slyvia Brunt (New Zealand), 12. Alex Tessier (Canada), 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (New Zealand); 10. Holly Aitchison (England), 9. Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France); 1. Hope Rogers (USA), 2. Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand), 3. Maud Muir (England), 4. Zoe Aldcroft (England), 5. Laetitia Royer (Canada), 6. Aoife Wafer (Ireland), 7. Sophie de Goede (Canada), 8. Alex Matthews (England).

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Play Video

    Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | First Match | Full Match Replay

    Play Video

    Did the Lions loosies get away with murder? And revisiting the Springboks lift | Whistle Watch

    Play Video

    The First Test, Visiting The Great Barrier Reef & Poetry with Pierre | Ep 6: The Ultimate Test

    Play Video

    KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

    Play Video

    New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    Play Video

    USA vs England | Men's International | Full Match Replay

    Play Video

    France v Argentina | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    Play Video

    Lions Share | Episode 4

    Trending on RugbyPass

    1

    Nel Metcalfe double leads Wales to stunning win over Wallaroos

    1
    2

    Ruby Tui's response to World Cup omission earns praise of teammates

    5
    3

    What improvements can we expect to see from Wales in Australia Tests?

    2
    4

    What's going on with Scotland in 'very disruptive' pre-World Cup period?

    1
    5

    What a difference three years makes: Mo Hunt on 'emotional' World Cup selection

    6

    How do England deal with the pressure of a home World Cup?

    7

    Ruby Tui misses out as Black Ferns name squad for Rugby World Cup

    5
    8

    Rising stars named in Black Ferns XV team to play Springbok Women

    1

    Comments

    2 Comments
    B
    BC 244 days ago

    I was at the 6N match against Ireland at Twickenham. The roar of anticipation every time Ellie got the ball was amazing.


    Surprised at some of the "dream team", who would not get into a Red Roses squad.

    T
    Tom 244 days ago

    Very well deserved.

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Long Reads

    LONG READ

    The forgotten art of the drop goal - and how it's making a comeback

    The iconic three-point skill enshrined in English sporting folklore by Jonny Wilkinson has declined in recent years. There are signs it's on its way back.

    1
    LONG READ

    Hugo Keenan: From high school 'D' team to British and Irish Lions immortality

    Once omitted from the Leinster sub-academy, the Ireland full-back has taken a long and arduous road to a fairytale moment Melbourne.

    10
    LONG READ

    How the Lions' injury-dogged 'Jukebox' Tadhg Furlong is still producing great hits

    Despite a heavily disrupted season, Ireland's cornerstone tighthead is rolling back the years Down Under as he prepares to start an eighth straight Test.

    2

    Comments on RugbyPass

    H
    Hammer Head 46 minutes ago
    The forgotten art of the drop goal - and how it's making a comeback

    I love the drop goal. Always wondered why we don’t see more of them. Hard to defend if set up correctly. Also, easy to use a decoy.


    I recall a story that Rassie was one of the instigators behind the plan to use drop goals against England - 1999 RWC leading to Jannie de Beer’s 5 drop goals.


    Rassie also faked the moon landings. And was the second shooter on the grassy knoll.


    Anyways - would love to see more drop goals.

    1 Go to comments
    J
    John H 2 hours ago
    Wallabies vs B&I Lions takes: Gibson-Park saved Lions, Gordon proved costly

    Jordan too many y Box kicks

    4 Go to comments
    B
    BA 2 hours ago
    Four Wallabies including Tizzano in doubt for final Test after Melbourne thriller

    He is

    4 Go to comments
    J
    JB 4 hours ago
    Andy Goode: Aussie comments didn't cover them in glory

    Evidence so far suggests not.

    11 Go to comments
    j
    jB 4 hours ago
    Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

    90 thousand people watching ?

    114 Go to comments
    c
    cw 5 hours ago
    Michael Hooper weighs in on Jac Morgan clear-out

    Ha ha - yes Morgan is Luke Skywalker

    78 Go to comments
    B
    BA 5 hours ago
    Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

    There are basic mistakes at top level sport all the time look at NSW state of O, Wallabies were there or there about for majority of game they just gotta be in there few more moments few more minutes that is not a huge change

    114 Go to comments
    B
    BA 5 hours ago
    Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

    They don’t need the whole pie they just need to get a slice and pathways have not existed for awhile now properly so boys will choose rugby as long as there is some money on the table there is only 4 Suoer sides to stick not 14

    114 Go to comments
    C
    Cantab 5 hours ago
    Three decisions that went badly wrong for the Wallabies

    Agreed. Both these teams would be comfortably knocked over by either SA or NZ. Despite the Aussies improvement from the 1st test their scrum is still poor as is their tackling out wide. They still don’t have the depth to counter the strong squad of 2nd spell replacements that other sides possess and use to dominate at the crunch time.

    4 Go to comments
    p
    pc 5 hours ago
    Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

    Would not say that at all. I was at the game and there was basic mistakes at penalty kicks leaving lines uncovered and poor tackles that resulting in the lions scoring freely when in territory.

    114 Go to comments
    C
    CM 6 hours ago
    Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

    Unfortunately as an Aussie, I only foresee further decline for the sport in Aus. The AFL and NRL are both looking to expand and are both as wealthy as ever. Any bit of talent is going to be eaten up by those behemoths and what will be left over for Aus rugby is likely going to be not much better then the talent we currently have, which is substandard.

    114 Go to comments
    C
    CM 6 hours ago
    Andy Goode: Aussie comments didn't cover them in glory

    As an Australian, I can cop the loss, they were just too good the Lions. They probably werent ready mentally for what Aus threw at them but credit to them, they come back beautifully. It was a great performance by the Wallabies and hopefully that will endear themselves to the Aussie public after a long streak of poor results.

    11 Go to comments
    C
    CM 6 hours ago
    Andy Goode: Aussie comments didn't cover them in glory

    No they wouldnt you tool, were you even alive in 2005? This Lions squad is one of the strongest Ive ever seen and they would seriously challenge the Boks and All Blacks as evidenced by their last tours. Dont talk rubbish son.

    11 Go to comments
    G
    GM 6 hours ago
    Andy Goode: Aussie comments didn't cover them in glory

    Even Martin Johnson admitted that Morgan’s cleanout might have been a penalty in minute one, but not in minute 80, given it would decide the test (and series). I don’t get that. If it’s a penalty, it’s a penalty, no matter the timing. Its does seem that, after the debacle of the last few minutes in 2017, when there was a clear off-side by the Lions, giving a game and series winning penalty to the All Blacks right in front of the sticks, that the rugby powers have decided that the Lions cannot lose. That’s okay, but please let the fans know before they waste their money watching what is supposed to be an even playing field.

    11 Go to comments
    c
    cw 6 hours ago
    'Gutted' Joe Schmidt makes feelings clear over match-deciding call

    Rules dont work that way. Its a bit like driving - Tizzano was there first, and has right of way. If he cant be moved legally, he cant be moved and he wins the penalty.

    28 Go to comments
    B
    BA 7 hours ago
    Carlo Tizzano jackal lingers over Lions series win

    If you listen to ref the contact is illegal in that he makes contact with neck and went in with arms out doesn’t tuck but deemed mitigation as a rugby collision as the arrive at the same time ..now Tizzano is def there first imo

    53 Go to comments
    B
    BA 7 hours ago
    Carlo Tizzano jackal lingers over Lions series win

    He is to the side and slightly to the back of Porter not ref obstruction if ref ain’t in front

    53 Go to comments
    s
    sf 7 hours ago
    Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

    The boks played 3 easy games to start the year off and struggled to beat a unproven All Blacks team with new coaching staff at home. Nobody knows how they are going to play this year as they haven’t had a proper challenge yet.

    114 Go to comments
    B
    BA 8 hours ago
    British & Irish Lions player ratings vs Wallabies | 2nd Test 2025 Lions series

    Missed multiple kicks at goal threw that pass out kicked one out on the full 6 is fair go I reckon

    22 Go to comments
    U
    Utiku Old Boy 8 hours ago
    'Gutted' Joe Schmidt makes feelings clear over match-deciding call

    That is a load of BS.

    28 Go to comments
    LONG READ
    LONG READ Ben Kay: 'I've never seen a Lions team attack so well; Finn Russell is unplayable' Ben Kay: 'I've never seen a Lions team attack so well; Finn Russell is unplayable'