Ellie Kildunne has long been one of England’s brightest sparks on the pitch — but now it’s her personal life grabbing attention.
The Red Roses star previously went public with director Cameron Sommerville-Bailey, with the pair even making a joint appearance at the 2024 World Rugby Awards.
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But after their split, Kildunne has now confirmed exactly who she’s dating — and fans definitely didn’t see it coming.
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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.
Once seemingly inseparable, the pair regularly featured on each other’s social media — but those posts dried up back in February.
In recent months, rumours have 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 rumours, Kildunne insists romance is taking a back seat, with little time to think about her love life amid a packed schedule of rugby, a podcast series and a growing list of promotional commitments.
Meet the HAPs: The partners proudly backing England’s Women’s Six Nations stars
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.
Although Aldcroft was named England captain earlier in the year, she will miss the 2026 Six Nations as the couple prepare to welcome their first child. Speaking on the England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line, she revealed that Luke was one of the first people she called after learning of her captaincy.
Hannah Botterman & Georgia Evans
Loosehead prop Hannah Botterman has found love across the Severn Bridge with Wales international Georgia Evans. Following her reported split from fellow Red Roses star Holly Aitchison, fans began speculating about the relationship after Evans was spotted supporting England during the recent tournament—most notably wearing a Red Roses shirt during the final.
The rumours have since been confirmed, with the cross-border couple now officially an item, proving that rugby rivalries stop at the touchline.
