Harlequins Part Ways with World Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne After Strained Relations

Harlequins announced the departure of full-back Ellie Kildunne on Tuesday. The 26-year-old England international posted on Instagram that she was "gutted" to be leaving The Stoop. Kildunne told her Rugby Rodeo podcast the news came without warning.

"It was news I don't think I was prepared for," she said. "I didn't have plans to leave. " The Daily Telegraph reported that Kildunne, who was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder last year, has been late for several team meetings and that relations with the coaching staff have been strained.

Kildunne arrived at Harlequins from Wasps in 2021. Kildunne, named world player of the year in 2024 and a Women's Rugby World Cup winner, said she does not know where she will play next season. "Everyone is wondering where I am going, and currently I don't know," she said.

She added that the most important factor is finding an environment that allows her to remain authentic and continue improving. "The most important thing to me is to be in a place where I can carry on being my authentic self and keep progressing to be the best rugby player I can be, and challenged by my team-mates and coaches," Kildunne stated. Kildunne ended her message with an open invitation.

" she said. The Premiership Women's Rugby salary cap stands at about £250,000. Bristol Bears signed American player Ilona Maher on a three-month loan last season. Ealing Trailfinders earned a spot in the play-offs for the first time last weekend.