St Mary’s Alumnae Win Women’s Six Nations Tournament

Former St Mary’s University, Twickenham (SMU) students Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach have won the Women’s Rugby Six Nations tournament with this year’s England squad.

The England women's national rugby union team, known as the Red Roses, took home their third successive title and sixth overall title in the Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam after defeating France 42 to 21.

Both Ellie and Jess were selected for the 2024 Six Nations squad in backs positions. Throughout the tournament, Ellie and Jess formed a dominant and integral back three with teammate Abby Dow.

Ellie was the leading point-scorer for the England team, scoring nine tries throughout the Six Nations. She also finished the tournament with the most carries, most metres gained, and most line-breaks for the team.

Due to her outstanding performance during the Six Nations, Ellie has subsequently been nominated for the Guinness Player of the Championship. Only four players throughout the whole tournament are put forward to the vote.

During her time at SMU, Ellie was a Rugby Scholar studying Sport and Exercise Science. Jess studied Sports Communication and Marketing.

Outside of the Six Nations, Ellie has 38 caps for Harlequins and Jess has 33 caps for Saracens.

Speaking on this achievement, Head of Sport St Mary’s Andrew Reid-Smith said, “It was great to see England complete their third consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam, with a clinical win away to France. Ellie and Jess have figured highly in England’s impressive attacking style, and with Olympic Sevens and a Twickenham match against New Zealand in September, there’s lots of brilliant rugby to look forward to.”