Ellie Kildunne has established herself as one of England’s most exciting rugby talents, earning widespread acclaim for her performances with the Red Roses. But while her exploits on the field continue to impress, her life away from rugby has also attracted interest.
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The full-back previously confirmed her relationship with director Cameron Sommerville-Bailey, with the couple making a rare public appearance together at the 2024 World Rugby Awards.
But after their split, Kildunne has now confirmed exactly who she’s dating — and fans definitely didn’t see it coming.
However, he was notably absent from Ellie’s family and friends at the recent final, and fans have since spotted that the fullback has removed their couple highlights tab from her Instagram.
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Once seemingly inseparable, the pair regularly featured on each other’s social media — but those posts dried up back in February 2025.
Rumours had circulated that the couple had gone their separate ways, and Ellie has now confirmed the split in a candid interview.
She told the Guardian: “We split just before the Six Nations. It was very amicable. We lived together for four-five years. I still love him to pieces, but it was the best for where we are. I couldn’t have asked for someone better, right down to washing my boots. It was his love language!”
So, is there a new boot cleaner on the scene?
“No, there is not.”
Despite persistent rumours, Kildunne says romance is firmly on the back burner. Between rugby, her podcast commitments and an ever-growing list of promotional work, she simply doesn’t have the time to focus on her love life.
Away from the pitch, life is anything but calm.
“Chaos,” she says without hesitation.
In many ways, she approaches life the same way she plays rugby: unpredictably. Sitting still doesn’t come naturally. She’s constantly moving from one interest to the next, diving headfirst into a succession of short-lived but all-consuming obsessions.
“I was diagnosed with ADHD last year,” she explains. “It helped me understand why I’m completely comfortable with the way my life works, even though it tends to blow other people’s minds when I describe it.”
She laughs as she recalls the countless projects sparked by late-night inspiration.
“I’ll be lying in bed unable to sleep because I’ve decided I want to rearrange my room and I can already see it in my head. So I’ll get up and do it. I bought a huge canvas once and couldn’t stop thinking about painting it, so I stayed up all night working on it.”
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From long-standing rugby romances to Olympic connections, growing families, and international love stories, these partners play a key role off the pitch as England gears up for the 2026 Six Nations.
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Claudia MacDonald & Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald
Last weekend, Red Roses winger Claudia MacDonald found herself lining up against her wife, Ireland hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, in front of a record-breaking crowd of 77,120.
The couple, who married in 2025 and previously played together for Exeter Chiefs, experienced the rare occasion of competing on opposite sides of the international stage.
Zoe Aldcroft & Luke Stratford
World Cup-winning captain Zoe Aldcroft shares a heartwarming rugby romance with her husband, Luke Stratford. The pair first met outside a nightclub in Gloucester, but their relationship truly blossomed when Luke cleverly booked physio sessions at the same time as Zoe before they officially got together.
The couple tied the knot in June 2024 at Hackness Grange in Scarborough. Zoe shared snaps of their special day on Instagram, captioning the post: “The best day of my life with the absolute love of my life.”
Their bond is strengthened by a shared love of rugby. Luke currently serves as the Women’s Scrum Coach at Sale Sharks, having previously coached Leicester Tigers Women.
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Hannah Botterman & Georgia Evans
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The rumours have since been confirmed, with the cross-border couple now officially an item, proving that rugby rivalries stop at the touchline.
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