St Mary’s Alumnae Shine in Opening World Cup Game

St Mary’s University, London alumnae Ellie Kildunne, Jess Breach and Abi Burton have been named in the year’s England Women’s Rugby World Cup Squad. The first game of the tournament saw Ellie and Jess starting for the Red Roses against the United States.

Both Ellie and Jess contributed to the team’s superb 69-7 victory over the US at the Stadium of Light, scoring two tries each.

All three of the former St Mary’s students have previously played for their country, with Ellie and Jess both making their World Cup debuts in 2021 and Abi and Ellie staring in the Olympic sevens squad at Paris 2024. Abi made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Ellie is the current World Player of the Year and was the leading point-scorer for the England team in the 2024 Six Nations tournament. She scored nine tries throughout the Six Nations last year, and finished the tournament with the most carries, most metres gained, and most line-breaks for the team. Ellie has been playing for Harlequins FC since 2021.

Jess has 48 caps for England and is a prolific try-scorer, crossing six times on her international debut alone. She joined Saracens in 2022 from Harlequins.

Abi made her Red Roses debut earlier this year during the Six Nations, where she scored two tries against Wales. Her inspirational strength has seen Abi fight back from serious illness and an induced coma in 2022 to making her World Cup debut this tournament. She has played for Trailfinders since 2024.

Speaking at her graduation earlier this summer Ellie said, “I’m absolutely buzzing for the World Cup. It’s the thing I’ve been talking about since the last one three years ago. Obviously, it’s a lot of hard work and dedication but we’re really ready and raring to go.”