I felt really alone after World Cup win - Kildunne
Why it matters: Ellie Kildunne's experience highlights the mental health challenges athletes face after major victories.
- Ellie Kildunne admitted feeling "really alone" and experiencing an emotional dip after England's Rugby World Cup win, despite scoring a brilliant solo try in the final against Canada.
- Kildunne highlighted the jarring transition from a sold-out 82,000-capacity Allianz Stadium to playing for Harlequins in front of only 2,929 fans, leading her to question her purpose.
- Kildunne maintained high personal standards, stating that an 8/10 performance felt like a 2/10, and she had to re-evaluate her internal motivation to keep striving for improvement.
- Kildunne also reflected on a challenging World Cup quarter-final against Australia where she made uncharacteristic errors and sustained a concussion, adding pressure before her two-try semi-final comeback against France.
England full-back Ellie Kildunne experienced profound loneliness and an emotional dip after the Red Roses' Rugby World Cup win, despite her star performance including a solo try in the final. The stark contrast between playing in front of 82,000 fans at Allianz Stadium and returning to club play with Harlequins before just 2,929 at Twickenham Stoop contributed to her feelings of isolation and questioning her motivation.
