Kildunne & Jones to pursue Olympic dream
Red Roses duo Megan Jones and Ellie Kildunne will join up with GB Rugby 7s women’s squad to aid their aspirations for the ongoing HSBC SVNS Series and the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Both players, who were influential in the Red Roses earning a third Guinness Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam in a row, have history in the shortened format.
Jones travelled to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as a non-playing reserve before going on to win a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in 2018. She then co-captained GB at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, scoring both tries in GB’s bronze medal match before linking up with the Red Roses.
Harlequins’ Kildunne, who took inspiration from the 2016 Rio team, enjoyed her first season of Sevens in 2018/19 after scoring nine tries in eight matches for the Red Roses. She featured 39 times in an England Sevens jersey. The duo will be available for GB selection for the Madrid 7s (31 May-2 June).
"Joining up with the GB 7s squad is an incredible honour and an exciting opportunity to test myself with a new group of players," said Kildunne. "Competing at Paris 2024 would be a dream come true, and I'm determined to work hard to make it a reality.
"I’m grateful to Quins for allowing me to take this opportunity. I’m already excited to be back with the group next season and can’t wait to support them for the rest of this campaign."
Jones added: "It’s so exciting to join up with the talented GB 7s squad ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games. This side has a genuine shot of becoming the first female Great Britain rugby sevens team to win an Olympic medal and I would love to be part of that.
"It has been a great year at Leicester Tigers and I'm grateful to them for allowing me to prepare for the Paris Olympics. I can't wait to be back with the squad next season and look forward to supporting the girls from afar with their remaining games."
The transition from Red Roses and Premiership Women’s Rugby duties into the 7s programme has been agreed and collaborated on with various stakeholders including the RFU, GB7s, Leicester Tigers, Harlequins and the RPA.
RFU Head of Women’s Performance Charlie Hayter commented: "It is important to support our players’ dreams and aspirations. They very much remain a part of our long-term Red Roses future and hold great ambitions in an England shirt.
"It’s a good challenge for Meg and Ellie to make an impact in the GB environment over the next couple of months and give themselves a chance to compete in the short format of the game on the biggest stage."
