England full-back and World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne says she\u2019s \u201copen to anything\u201d when it comes to the proposed R360 league.<\/p>\n
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community<\/a>\u00a0for all the latest news direct to your phone.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019d take it, but I\u2019d like to understand the league a bit more to see if it\u2019s an opportunity I\u2019d like to take,\u201d Kildunne told BBC Radio 4\u2019s\u00a0Today\u00a0programme.<\/p>\n Speaking at Bracknell Rugby Club during the launch of the RFU\u2019s Rugby Fest weekend, the 26-year-old stressed her focus remains firmly on her current club season with Harlequins.<\/p>\n The Red Roses\u2019 tour of clubs nationwide coincides with persistent rumours about the future of men\u2019s and women\u2019s club rugby, with R360 dominating the headlines. The\u00a0Daily Telegraph\u00a0article reporting Kildunne as a top R360 target is now two weeks old, noting that a \u201csignificant number\u201d of her England teammates have reportedly signed pre-contract agreements.<\/p>\n Kildunne, contracted to Premiership Women\u2019s Rugby side Harlequins, opens the league season on Friday, 24 October against Loughborough Lightning at the Twickenham Stoop.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just focused on the Harlequins season I\u2019ve got. This week has been absolutely crazy, so I can\u2019t look too far ahead \u2013 I don\u2019t even know what I\u2019m having for dinner tonight,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s going to be lots of investment into the game now, lots of changes that people will see, and I think that\u2019s the direction rugby needs to go. We\u2019ve made something happen, and that\u2019s going to come with talking points and debates. This league (R360) is still something we don\u2019t know too much about.\u201d<\/p>\n Crucially, the RFU has confirmed that players who sign for R360 would\u00a0not be eligible to play for England, meaning Kildunne\u2019s international career would effectively be on hold if she joined the breakaway league.<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n Ellie Kildunne named on six-strong Sports Personality of the Year shortlist<\/p>\n The BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) is all about celebrating British sporting brilliance \u2014 the athletes who\u2019ve not only dominated their fields but captured the hearts of the nation along the way.<\/p>\n With the 2025 ceremony fast approaching, the competition is wide open and the names in contention are nothing short of elite.<\/p>\n BBC Sports Personality of the Year (Latest Odds)<\/p>\n 6. Luke Littler \u2013 Darts<\/p>\n Odds: 50\/1. At just 17 years old, Littler became the youngest darts world champion in history, defeating Michael van Gerwen in the 2025 World Championship final.<\/p>\n His breakthrough has made him a rising star in the sport, though darts has a smaller SPOTY audience compared to football or rugby, placing him lower in the rankings.<\/p>\n 5. Hannah Hampton \u2013 Football (England & Aston Villa)<\/p>\n Odds: 25\/1. Hampton played a crucial role in England\u2019s UEFA Women\u2019s Euro 2025 triumph, saving two penalties in the final against Spain.<\/p>\n Her heroics in goal were vital to England\u2019s success, but goalkeepers often receive less recognition than high-profile goal-scorers, keeping her further down the list.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n