St Mary’s Alumnae and Student Selected for Six Nations Squads

St Mary’s University is celebrating the selection of several alumnae and a current student for the upcoming Six Nations Championship.

Among those selected for England are former students Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 57 caps), Jess Breach (Saracens, 53 caps), and Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 4 caps). Their inclusion reflects both their individual excellence and the strength of St Mary’s sporting pathways.

Current student Aoife Wafer has been selected to represent Ireland. Aoife, who is studying Physiotherapy at St Mary’s, was named Women’s Six Nation Player of the Championship last year, continues to balance her academic commitments with high-performance sport playing for Harlequins.

These selections follow a landmark year for English rugby, with the Red Roses securing victory at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. In recognition of their achievements, members of the World Cup-winning squad - including St Mary’s alumna Rosie Galligan - were awarded Honorary Doctorates by the University.

Head of Sport at St Mary’s, Andrew Reid-Smith said: “We are incredibly proud to see our alumnae and current students selected for the Six Nations. Ellie, Jess and Abi have all made outstanding contributions to the game, and Aoife’s selection for Ireland is a fantastic achievement while balancing her studies. These selections are a testament to the strength of our performance sport programme and the dedication of our athletes and staff.”

The success of these athletes underscores St Mary’s University’s reputation as a hub for sporting excellence, supporting students and graduates in reaching the highest levels of competition on the international stage.