The Grand Slam winning fullback claimed 38% of the 32,240 fan votes to win this year’s award
Kildunne was shortlisted alongside France back row Romane Ménager, Ireland’s breakthrough back row Aoife Wafer and Italy winger Alyssa D’Inca
The award nominees were based on the players who topped the performance statistics charts, before being put to a fan vote to determine a winner
Each Player of The Championship nominee featured in the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Team of The Championship
Fans have voted the England and Harlequins full-back Ellie Kildunne the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of The Championship. She was presented her award at Harlequins training HQ by fellow club and international teammate Connie Powell.
Kildunne claimed 38% of the 32,240 votes to claim the coveted award, which was double the number of fan votes, compared to last year. Kildunne had fierce competition for the award, in the form of France powerhouse back row Romane Ménager, Ireland breakthrough back row Aoife Wafer and Italy’s star winger Alyssa D’Inca.
The shortlisted nominees were decided by a combination of statistics and fan votes. The top performing players per position were highlighted by their performance stats, before fans were asked to name the best player in each on- field position and make up the 2024 Team of The Championship. Kildunne and her fellow nominees were the players who topped the performance stats and fan vote leader boards to earn their place on the shortlist for this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of The Championship.
It was Kildunne who topped this year’s Championship statistics leader board in five categories breaking four records in the process. The 24-year-old Red Rose finished top try scorer with nine, most metres carried (869.3), metres gained (676.1) and line breaks (13). She capped these incredible stats off with three Guinness Player of the Match awards against Italy, Scotland, and the penultimate game at Twickenham against Ireland, where she scored a hattrick.
The 24-year-old, Rotherham-born, Kildunne who plays her club rugby for Harlequins, is also looking to add an Olympic medal to her tally, having been called up to join the Great Britain 7s team, as preparations continue ahead of the Paris game’s this summer.
Commenting on being named 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship, Ellie Kildunne said: “I am honoured to be named Player of The Championship, but the credit needs to be shared with my teammates. The award is particularly special given it has been decided by the fans.
“There is a genuine sense that the sky is the limit for the growth of women’s rugby. We are chasing down a sold-out Twickenham for a women’s game. Attendances and viewers are up, and the buzz around the sport is only getting louder. As players, we feed off this, and want to put on a show for fans.
“Huge congratulations need to go to the other players on this year’s shortlist. It just goes to show that the teams and players competing across the Championship are helping put women’s rugby on more people’s radars.”
Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, added: “What Ellie and the rest of the Red Roses team have achieved is fully deserving of all their awards and recognition. It highlights the impact of a successful development pathway and structure to nurture talent, and then translate this onto the elite stage. Ellie is testament to this, an inspiring advert for the women’s game, and I wish her the best of luck as she pursues the opportunity to represent Team GB at the Paris Olympics this summer.”
Stephen O’Kelly, Global Brand Director, Guinness, commented: “As we close out on our first Guinness Women’s Six Nations Championship as title sponsor, we are delighted to extend our warmest congratulations to Ellie Kildunne, this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship. Ellie showcased her wide array of skills throughout the Championship and her speed was integral to England’s Grand Slam. Ellie has truly earned this accolade and we sincerely hope she enjoys this honour.”
The 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Team of the Championship:
1. Hannah Botterman: Prop (England, Bristol Bears)
2. Neve Jones: Hooker (Ireland, Gloucester-Hartpury)
3. Maud Muir: Prop (England, Gloucester-Hartpury)
4. Manaé Feleu: Second Row (France, FC Grenoble Amazones)
5. Zoe Aldcroft: Second Row (England, Gloucester-Hartpury)
6. Aoife Wafer: Back Row (Ireland, Leinster)
7. Sadia Kabeya: Back Row (England, Loughborough Lightning)
8. Romane Ménager: No.8 (France, Montpellier)
9. Natasha Hunt: Scrum Half (England, Gloucester-Hartpury)
10. Holly Aitchison: Fly Half (England, Bristol Bears)
11. Abby Dow: Wing (England, Trailfinders Women)
12. Beatrice Rigoni: Centre (Italy, Sale Sharks)
13. Megan Jones: Centre (England, Leicester Tigers)
14. Alyssa D’Inca: Wing (Italy, Villorba Rugby)
15. Ellie Kildunne: Full Back (England, Harlequins)
With thanks to 6 Nations Rugby
