She came second at BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
asserted
She → come → Year
She lit up the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
asserted
She → light → Cup
She's even got her own Barbie doll.
asserted
She → get → doll
So why isn't Ellie Kildunne starting for England against the USA on Friday night (21:15 kick-off)?
asserted
Kildunne → start → night
First of all she is human, let's not forget that.
asserted
's → let → that
We're all allowed ups and downs.
asserted
We → allow → ups
It's just that Kildunne's dip comes with the large spotlight of her being the Red Roses' household name.
asserted
her → come → spotlight
None of her team-mates come close to her popularity with fans both in and outside rugby union with her 239,000 Instagram followers.
asserted
None → come → followers
Her face and name are used for clicks by all the media, present company included.
asserted
face → use → media
However, if you follow the sport and watch her play, no-one is undroppable.
asserted
one → follow → sport
England suffered their first loss in four years to end their 41-Test unbeaten streak in Toronto against Canada.
asserted
England → suffer → Canada
She was never given space, defenders stepped up, her arms were pulled and balls were spilt.
asserted
balls → give → space
When England head coach John Mitchell benched her after England's loss in Toronto he was clear that "it isn't disputed that she adds huge value".
asserted
she → bench → value
However, he went on to add: "She's just going through a difficult period at the moment, and it's important for us to help her through that.
asserted
us → go → that
She wants to become consistent as well, and she'll get back.
asserted
she → want → ?
It's also important to create competition and to recognise that you have to become more consistent, especially when you're competing in the Red Roses.
asserted
you → create → Roses
"So it's really important to reinforce the behaviours that we think are necessary to our game, and that goes for everyone."
asserted
that → reinforce → everyone
The key word we can take from that is "consistent" - mainly because Mitchell said it twice.
asserted
Mitchell → take → it
Kildunne remains one of the world's most phenomenal players when it comes to gainline success and metres gained.
asserted
it → remain → success
Much of this is due to poor opposition defence, but her statistics show a decline over the past three seasons at international level.
asserted
statistics → show → level
It seems almost harsh to highlight as these are numbers other players could only dream of but she's also gone from beating an average of six defenders a game in 2024, to 4.2 in 2026.
Kildunne has also conceded more penalties in 2026 than either of the previous two years.
uncertain
Kildunne → seem → years
Some of these statistics, althought not all, are mirrored in her PWR performances last season.
asserted
Some → mirror → performances
While Canada are not alone, it does appear they are one of the best teams at dealing with Kildunne's threats.
asserted
they → appear → threats
In their drawn match in Exeter, Kildunne made 17 carries for 47 metres, an average of 2.8m, which is well below her usual standards.
asserted
which → draw → standards
In Toronto she had the ball turned over twice - that was her joint-most in any England game.
asserted
that → have → game
Emma Sing now appears to have some purchase on the England 15 shirt and it is well deserved.
asserted
it → appear → shirt
Sing has three PWR titles with her club side Gloucester-Hartpury and has been one of their most reliable players throughout that period.
asserted
Sing → have → period
She has got a monster boot round the park and off the tee and, while Sing might not score the same worldies we have seen from Kildunne, her highlights reel is none too shabby.
uncertain
reel → get → Kildunne
On Sing's starting selection in Ottawa, Mitchell was happy to explain the players' differences: "They play quite differently.
asserted
They → explain → differences
So we're very fortunate to have two very good full-backs.
asserted
we → have → backs
But you know, Emma's been sitting in the in the wings in this particular phase of our campaign.
asserted
Emma → know → campaign
So she's in a really good physical place, and she's worked really, really hard.
asserted
she → work → place
So I think it's time to give her an opportunity.
asserted
it → think → opportunity
It is a bit crass, but if you only follow men's rugby, Kildunne is a bit more Marcus Smith, while Sing is a bit more Freddie Steward - they are just different players.
asserted
they → follow → rugby
Add to that, Sing was brought up on a Devon sheep farm and is not a huge fan of the media spotlight.
asserted
Sing → add → spotlight
That is not to say that Kildunne has coveted it, but she is far more comfortable in the media space.
asserted
she → say → space
You also must tip your hat to Kildunne and how she has managed herself with her new-found fame.
asserted
she → tip → fame
After England beat New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in September, she spent an hour signing autographs and doing selfies to an unrelenting, screaming chorus of "Ellie, Ellie, Ellie".
asserted
she → beat → Ellie
Managing your own needs as an athlete and the increasing demands of fans is not an easy circle to square.
asserted
Managing → manage → fans
So where does Kildunne go from here?
asserted
Kildunne → go → ?
…and 3 more, not listed.
The Aporia
