England star Ellie Kildunne opens up on body dysmorphia struggle during lockdown

England rugby star Ellie Kildunne has revealed she struggled with body dysmorphia during the coronavirus lockdown.

The 26-year-old scored five tries to help the Red Roses lift the World Cup last year, including a stunning solo effort in the 33-13 victory over Canada in the final at a sold-out Allianz Stadium Twickenham.

Speaking of her disordered eating and unhealthy weight loss amid the pandemic, Kildunne told BBC Sport: “I could probably see myself getting a little bit smaller, but then was still trying to chase being smaller on top of that.

“I wasn’t in that team environment with physios all the time, or my team-mates.

“And body dysmorphia is such a funny thing, because I would have been small but I would see myself as bigger in the mirror.

“It seems really stupid now, and I look back on it – I don’t know why I did it. But I just ended up having a terrible relationship with food.

“In the rugby world, I’m considered small, but in my world outside rugby, I was considered big, so I never really had that place where I felt comfortable, that I fit in.”

In 2020, Kildunne was part of Great Britain’s sevens squad, training for an Olympic Games which was subsequently postponed until 2021.

She broke down in tears when she eventually outlined her health issues during a chance conversation with England physio Emily Ross.

“I knew I had a problem but I never wanted to admit it and I think admitting it made it a problem,” Kildunne said.

“It wasn’t something that I was even trying to stop. But as soon as you say something out loud to somebody that creates accountability.”

Harlequins full-back Kildunne was crowned World Player of the Year in 2024 and finished runner-up to golfer Rory McIlroy for last year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

She was among the try-scorers on Saturday when England beat Ireland 33-12 in their opening match of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve got a bad relationship with food now,” Kildunne said.

“But it’s something that you’ve always got to be conscious of because I know that I’ve got those habits somewhere. I just need to make sure they don’t come up.”