Women’s Rugby World Cup final: Ellie Kildunne says England are ready for Canada showpiece

A big part of this England team is its togetherness – and that perhaps comes from the players’ teenage days.

Several of the squad, including Kildunne and captain Zoe Aldcroft, attended ‘Block 16’ – part of the student accommodation at Hartpury University and College – on their way to becoming international regulars.

The women’s rugby academy is a talent factory, taking in 16-year-olds from around the country and turning out Red Roses, creating a squad bonded by their history.

“The environment is incredible,” said Kildunne. “We back each other and there is a bond in the team like no environment or team I’ve ever been a part of.

“There is no-one else I would rather take the pitch with than this England team.

“We have just got to back ourselves, trust the process that we have been on and trust that when that whistle goes, whatever is going to happen is going to happen.”

A try in each half from Kildunne helped England survive a scare in the semi-final.

On both occasions, the full-back sliced her way through the French defence and was able to dive over.

Her explanation? Avoiding the opposition at all costs.

“There is no secret in being in a good team. Also, I do not like being tackled. So I run away from people,” she said.

“I am part of a very, very good team and it’s people who put me in gaps. If the gap is not there, I’ll put someone else into it.