Scoring a brilliant solo try in a sold-out stadium to help England win their first Rugby World Cup in 11 years should be the ultimate high. For Red Roses full-back Ellie Kildunne, however, the emotional comedown that followed was unexpectedly isolating.

The 26-year-old star, recently crowned the 2024 World Rugby Women's Player of the Year, has opened up about feeling "really alone" in the weeks after the historic victory. The stark contrast between the peak of her career and the return to normal life proved a significant mental challenge.

"You are playing in front of a sold-out crowd at Allianz, you have just won a World Cup, and the next minute you are back playing over the road in front of a slither of the amount of people," Kildunne told BBC Sport, describing her return to club action with Harlequins.

This dramatic shift led to a period of introspection. "There was that little bit of a dip in 'why I am doing this?'" she admitted. The transition from the intense, communal bubble of a World Cup camp—playing Guitar Hero nightly with teammates—to living alone in Reading was jarring. "Suddenly I was like 'wow, I feel really alone'," she said.

Kildunne, known for her relentless drive and high personal standards, also grappled with maintaining motivation. "If I played 8/10 then I feel I might as well have played 2/10," she explained, highlighting the internal pressure elite athletes often face. Her journey through this post-tournament dip became a process of rediscovering her intrinsic drive. "I needed to rework that out - how am I going to keep pushing myself from within," she stated.

Her candid reflection sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of professional sport: the mental and emotional adjustment required after achieving a lifelong dream. By speaking out, Kildunne not only normalizes these complex feelings but also reinforces the importance of resilience and self-awareness in an athlete's journey, both on and off the pitch.