Kildunne is one of England’s biggest rugby union stars and among the most high profile players in the world.
She was the face of the 2025 World Cup for the Red Roses and her profile has only continued to skyrocket since the team lifted the trophy last September.
Bristol, who finished a disappointing eighth in the table this season, is also a club that has a track record of signing prominent figures of the sport.
America superstar Ilona Maher enjoyed a three-month spell at the club during early 2025, New Zealand captain Ruahei Demant similarly joined this season and Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit joined their men’s Prem outfit last summer his return to the sport from American football while their chief executive officer stated that marketability of players, external is a factor in their recruitment strategy.
The Bears’ running rugby style of play was a key factor in Kildunne wanting to make the move she said but also that joining a club which has worked with other high profile players did come into her thinking.
“Bristol have worked with players who have maybe stepped out of just being the rugby players that you prioritise, is something that definitely aids moving here because I do have a lot on my plate at times,” Kildunne said.
“My priority is always rugby, will always be rugby. But this is new territory, so to feel supported by the staff to ensure that I can keep rugby being my priority as well as aiding the progression of women’s rugby in different ways that I am doing as well.
“It’s definitely something that was a huge positive.”
Kildunne added that she feels the “best is still yet to come” with her rugby.
At Bristol she will link up with a number of England team-mates including Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Abbie Ward and Lark Atkin-Davies and pointed to wing Millie David, who won her first cap this spring, as someone she was excited to link up with.
“Millie Wizz (David) is someone that has been in and out of the Red Roses camp. We’ve seen where she’s got the pace that she’s got when she’s been playing in the PWR.
“I’m excited to keep on growing that bond. I think we can get the best out of each other on the pitch.”
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