Ellie Kildunne has been named on England's bench for a second straight match, with her honest words about living with ADHD offering a glimpse into the challenges she has faced away from rugby.

The 27-year-old has endured a difficult few weeks after years as one of the Red Roses' biggest stars.

Head coach John Mitchell has again preferred Emma Sing at full-back for Friday's clash with the USA. It follows back-to-back defeats against Canada, which ended England's remarkable unbeaten run.

But Kildunne has previously spoken with great honesty about her life away from the pitch. In September, she told The Guardian that she had been forced to reflect following a difficult summer.

"I have had to look in the mirror quite a lot and stick to my values," she admitted.

Her comments followed an unexpected departure from Harlequins and discussions about her ADHD diagnosis.

Ellie Kildunne opens up about ADHD diagnosis

Kildunne has spoken openly about how ADHD affects her everyday life.

In an interview with British GQ, she revealed that problems with sleep and processing information had prompted her to seek answers.

"My brain was working really fast," she explained.

She also described feeling frustrated when she struggled to put into words what she could see happening on the rugby pitch.

Receiving her diagnosis helped her better understand those experiences.

"Since I've understood my ADHD, I've been able to slow down a little bit in my head," she said.

The England star has since developed ways to manage her busy mind.

She keeps several notebooks, including one for tasks, another for rugby and a place to write down thoughts that are troubling her.

Rather than viewing ADHD as something negative, Kildunne has embraced the qualities that make her different.

"People say diagnosis as if it's a bad thing. It's not. It's just understanding."

Kildunne reflects on difficult Harlequins exit

Kildunne's move from Harlequins to Bristol Bears in 2026 came as a surprise.

Reports suggested problems with punctuality had affected her relationship with coaches.

Speaking to The Guardian in September, she admitted the situation had been stressful.

"I am not trying to be late on purpose," she explained.

But she was also keen to take responsibility.

Kildunne revealed she had bought a Garmin watch to help improve her timekeeping.

She praised Bristol's coaching staff for their support, including simple reminders about important tasks.

The England star saw the move as an opportunity to learn and improve.

She also made clear that she did not want her diagnosis to become an excuse.

Her comments offered an insight into how she was adapting to a new environment while trying to remain true to herself.

John Mitchell addresses England struggles

Kildunne's recent England performances have come under scrutiny following defeats against Canada. Mitchell left her out of the starting side for the second Test before making the same decision against the USA.

However, the England boss has stressed her importance to the team.

“She [Kildunne] adds huge value, she is just going through a difficult period at the moment,” Mitchell said. “It’s important for us to help her through that. She has to become consistent as well. She will get back. It is also important to create competition and to recognise that you have to become more consistent, especially when you are competing in the Red Roses.

“It’s really important to reinforce the behaviours we think are necessary to our game. That goes for everyone.”

Her attacking statistics suggest she still has plenty to offer.

In England's first defeat against Canada, Kildunne made 149 metres, beat six defenders and produced two clean breaks. All three figures were team highs.

There is no confirmed connection between her ADHD diagnosis and her recent selection setbacks.Her previous interviews instead offer a wider picture of the person behind one of rugby's most recognisable players.

'I definitely think it's a superpower'

Despite the challenges she has described, Kildunne remains positive about her diagnosis.

The 2024 World Rugby Women's Player of the Year has credited her creativity and ability to focus intensely with helping her succeed.

Speaking to GQ, she recalled discussing her diagnosis with her parents.

They encouraged her to recognise that her energy and creativity had always been part of who she was.

Kildunne has taken that message to heart.

"I definitely think it's a superpower," she said.

She believes the way her mind works has helped shape both her personality and her playing style.

Now, with England looking to bounce back against the USA, Kildunne will hope to make her mark from the bench.

And whatever happens next, her own words show that she sees her diagnosis as a source of understanding rather than a limitation.

Five quirky facts about Ellie Kildunne you probably didn't know

1. She grew up playing rugby against boys

Ellie Kildunne didn't have the easiest introduction to rugby. Growing up in Yorkshire, she regularly played alongside boys, often facing opponents who were bigger and stronger than her.

Rather than shy away from the challenge, she learned to use her pace, footwork and quick thinking to beat defenders. Those early experiences helped shape the fearless attacking style that has made her one of the most exciting players in women's rugby.

2. She's a keen photographer and artist

There's much more to Kildunne than rugby. The England star has a creative side and enjoys photography, art and exploring ways to express herself away from the pitch.

It's quite a contrast to her day job, which often involves charging through defensive lines at full speed. Her interest in creative work also gives her an outlet away from the pressure of professional sport.

3. She once invented a rugby team to get into a trial

This might be the most unusual story from Kildunne's childhood. As a teenager, she turned up for a Yorkshire Under-15s trial despite not being invited.

There was just one problem. She wasn't playing for a club at the time. When asked which team she represented, Kildunne made one up on the spot.

She believes she called it the Keighley Queens, although she can't remember the exact name. The gamble paid off, and she continued her journey towards international rugby.

It's quite a story for someone who would go on to become World Rugby Player of the Year.

4. She bought 20 kilograms of clay on a whim

Kildunne has admitted that her hobbies can change almost overnight. In an interview with British GQ, she revealed that she once visited Hobbycraft and bought an incredible 20 kilograms of clay.

Why? Because she suddenly decided she wanted to make jewellery pots for everyone.

On another occasion, she woke up at 2am wanting to learn a Noah Kahan song on the keyboard. By eight o'clock, she had already bought a second-hand keyboard from Facebook Marketplace.

She even took it into England camp, although she admitted her musical skills needed some work.

Kildunne has spoken openly about her ADHD diagnosis and how her creative mind shapes her personality.

5. She wrote 6,000 words about an Olympic hero for a school assignment

Kildunne's love of the Olympics started long before she represented Great Britain. While in Year 8, she was given a simple English assignment designed to improve her typing skills.

Rather than write a few paragraphs, she decided to focus on Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill. She became so interested in the subject that she ended up writing more than 6,000 words.

Years later, Kildunne achieved her own Olympic dream when she represented Team GB at Paris 2024. She helped Britain finish seventh in the women's rugby sevens competition.

Not bad for someone whose Olympic obsession began with a school typing exercise.