Ellie Kildoon: England full-back joins Bristol for 2026-27 PWR season

Kildoon is one of England’s biggest rugby union stars and one of the world’s most high profile players.

He was the face of the Red Roses’ 2025 World Cup and his profile has only continued to skyrocket since the team lifted the trophy last September.

Bristol, who finished a disappointing eighth in the table this season, are also a club with a track record of signing big names in the game.

America’s Superstar Ilona Maher enjoyed three months of magic At the club in early 2025, New Zealand captain Ruahei demant Similarly joined this season and Wales wing Louis Rees-Jammitt joined their men’s love outfit last summer on his return to the game from American football, their chief executive said. Marketability of players, outsider A factor in their recruitment strategy.

The Bears’ running rugby style of play was a key reason Kildoon wanted to make the move, he said, but joining a club that has worked with other high profile players crossed his mind.

“Bristol have worked with players who have maybe moved away from being rugby players which you prioritize, that’s something that definitely helps going here because I have a lot of time on my plate,” Kildoon said.

“My priority will always be rugby, always rugby. But this is new territory, so I can keep rugby as my priority as well as feel supported by the staff to make sure I’m doing what I’m doing to help progress women’s rugby.

“That was definitely something that was a huge positive.”

Kildoon added that he felt “the best is yet to come” with his rugby.

In Bristol she will link up with a number of England team-mates, including Sarah Byrne, Hannah Boaterman, Abbey Ward and Lark Atkin-Davies, and wing has pointed to Millie David, who won her first cap this spring, as someone she is keen to link up with.

“Milly Wiese (David) is someone who has been in and out of the Red Roses camp. We’ve seen where he’s got pace while playing at PWR.

“I’m excited to keep that bond growing. I think we can get the best out of each other on the field.”