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Ellie Kildunne could spark controversy after SPOTY is concluded
England World Cup hero and BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) nominee Ellie Kildunne has put her international rugby career in doubt after refusing to rule out a move to a controversial new breakaway league.
The 26-year-old full-back was one of the stars of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, racking up five tries across the tournament as England claimed their third World Cup trophy with a resounding 33-13 victory over Canada at Twickenham.
Named the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in 2024, the Yorkshire-born ace was rewarded for her impressive performances with a nomination for SPOTY – becoming the first ever female rugby player to be shortlisted for the prestigious gong.
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A 40/1 shot with bookmakers, Kildunne will face off against Hannah Hampton, Chloe Kelly, Luke Littler, Rory McIlroy and Lando Norris for the coveted title, set to be awarded tonight at a glitzy televised ceremony in Salford.
But Killdunne’s Red Roses career could be cut short after she admitted she would be “open to anything” – including a move to a breakaway competition that would see her banned from international duty.
The rebel R360 league, spearheaded by former England player and Royal Family member Mike Tindall, has shaken the world of rugby with a start date now pencilled in for 2028 and more than 200 players reportedly signed up to provisional contract agreements. However, eight leading Test nations, including England, have said any R360 recruits will be banned from continuing their international careers.
According to reports, Kildunne is viewed as a top target for the new competition after her standout summer, with the new league offering prospective players annual salaries of up to £740,000 for a 16-match season. Asked about the possibility of signing up to R360 on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Kildunne said: “It doesn’t mean I’d take it, but I’d like to understand the league a bit more to see if it’s an opportunity I’d like to take.”
She added: “There’s going to be lots of investment into the game now, lots of changes that people will see, and I think that’s the direction rugby needs to go. We’ve made something happen, and that’s going to come with talking points and debates. This league is still something we don’t know too much about.”
Kildunne is currently under contract with Harlequins, who sit fifth in the Premiership Women’s Rugby table after six games.
