Ellie Kildunne Joins Bristol Bears
World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne, one of the most prominent figures in women's rugby, has signed with Bristol Bears for the 2026-27 season after departing from Harlequins.
The 26-year-old England full-back announced her exit from Harlequins last month after five years with the club. Initially uncertain about her next club, Kildunne revealed in an exclusive interview with that joining Premiership Women's Rugby rivals Bristol Bears has brought her a sense of "comfort" following months of uncertainty regarding her future.
"I finally knew what I wanted to do," Kildunne said. "I needed to have the right conversations and make sure it's the right club for me, and I couldn't be happier with the conversations that I had.
"I knew straight away that it was right for me. I was actually in the car with my mum when I was on a call with the coaches. She said after it brought a tear to her eye because she felt like it was truly right for me, which is very exciting."
Career Background and International Achievements
Kildunne is a former World Player of the Year and was recently part of the England Red Roses team that secured a fifth consecutive Grand Slam at the Women's Six Nations, playing in every match and scoring five tries.
Since making her international debut at 18, Kildunne has earned 62 caps for England and scored 48 tries. Born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, she began her club career with Wasps before transferring to Harlequins in 2021.
Upon confirming her departure from Harlequins, Kildunne expressed feeling "gutted" but also ready for a change, having previously considered a move west to Bristol Bears.
"I didn't really prepare to move on to another club when I'd left Quins but I think the world has a funny way of telling you that it's time to move on," she said. "I looked at Bristol a couple of years ago, I was highly impressed by everything that I saw. I didn't know whether I was quite ready to move house and go across to [the] West Country.
"So to be in the position that I've been in, a lot of people might see it as stressful, but I kind of was sat knowing that it's ready to move on."
Player Profile and Club Ambitions
Kildunne is among England's most high-profile rugby union players and was the face of the 2025 World Cup for the Red Roses. Her profile has continued to rise since the team won the trophy last September.
Bristol Bears, who finished eighth in the Premiership Women's Rugby table this season, have a history of signing notable players. American star Ilona Maher had a three-month stint at the club in early 2025, New Zealand captain Ruahei Demant joined this season, and Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit signed for their men's Premiership team last summer after returning to rugby from American football. The club's CEO has noted that player marketability is a factor in recruitment strategy.
Kildunne cited Bristol's running rugby style as a key reason for her move, along with the club's experience working with high-profile players.
"Bristol have worked with players who have maybe stepped out of just being the rugby players that you prioritise, is something that definitely aids moving here because I do have a lot on my plate at times," Kildunne said.
"My priority is always rugby, will always be rugby. But this is new territory, so to feel supported by the staff to ensure that I can keep rugby being my priority as well as aiding the progression of women's rugby in different ways that I am doing as well.
"It's definitely something that was a huge positive."
Kildunne added that she believes her best rugby is still ahead of her.
At Bristol, she will join several England teammates including Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Abbie Ward, and Lark Atkin-Davies. She also expressed excitement about playing alongside wing Millie David, who earned her first cap this spring.
"Millie Wizz (David) is someone that has been in and out of the Red Roses camp. We've seen where she's got the pace that she's got when she's been playing in the PWR.
I'm excited to keep on growing that bond. I think we can get the best out of each other on the pitch."
Kildunne finished runner-up in last year's s Personality of the Year awards.
