Ruler World Female Player of the Year Ellie Kirdinne said she intends to emulate lioness star Chloe Kelly by making her name printed on fans’ shirts following the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The Harlekins fullback is full of confidence and inspired by British footballers who maintain their European championship titles ahead of her country’s quest for global glory in her hometown soil.
Arsenal forward Kelly played the lead role in the UK’s Euro 2025 victory in Switzerland. He’s been in the spotlight by scoring the winning goal in the Euro 2022 Final at Wembley.
Kildunne is key to Red Roses’ ambitions to lift silverware at Twickenham next month, hoping that the team will become family names and follow in the footsteps of Lioness by raising women’s sports profiles.
“Outside this pub we have Chloe Kelly shirts for sale on the streets,” Kildun said.
“That’s what the Euro did for the Lioness, and the opportunity we have at this World Cup is to sell Kildonne shirts on the side of the street. Young girls and boys have posters of Emily Scarat and Meg Jones on the wall, not just Johnny Wilkinson.
“I’m inspired by what they did for Lioness and women’s football. I want something less than what they’ve been able to achieve (for women’s rugby) than they’ve ever achieved.”
England will start the World Cup against the US in Sunderland on August 22, facing Samoa and Australia at Pool A.
The host will be the world’s top-ranked team, tournament favorite, and will take part in the competition as the winner of the final seven Six Nations titles.
After seeing Sarina Wigman’s Lioness come from behind in each of the knockout matches this summer, Kildun said he felt that John Mitchell’s side might need similar resilience.
“Their ability to continue fighting and not give up is something that inspires a lot of people,” she said.
“Like a red rose, it is something we can inspire.
“You can’t go anywhere without talking about the Women’s World Cup or the Red Roses. You won’t be late anytime soon, so you have to get used to it.”
Kildunne has strengthened her position as a poster girl in the tournament, following an outstanding year in 2024, which brought 14 attempts in nine Tests.
The 25-year-old said he was uneasy about the prospect of an increase in scrutiny.
“It adds that target to my back. I see it as pressure, but I don’t think pressure is a bad thing,” she said.
“I think pressure is a privilege, and I think it’s definitely a good thing. I use pressure to challenge myself and rewrite what people think they can do, go beyond people’s expectations and take it to the next level.
“I feel strong and confident – I’m ready and ready to go because I’m the most confident I’ve ever felt.”
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Kildunne was part of the England team that beat New Zealand 34-31 in the 2022 World Cup final, following an 18-minute red card from teammate Lydia Thompson.
“The disappointment and heartbreak of the final World Cup rekindled the flames within me that I thought were already quite bright,” she said.
“We learned a lot from that tournament and built a lot in our culture, so we are in a completely different space.
“It’s something you can rewrite and that’s something we’re very focused on. It’s not a story of vengeance, it’s just a rewrite.”