The reigning world player of the year, Kildunne has been one of the figureheads of the tournament, featuring in organisers’ and sponsors’ promotions.
She says it is surreal to see herself on billboards, in magazines and on social media posts.
“Yeah, it feels strange because I’m just a girl from Yorkshire who’s playing rugby,” she says.
“I’m nothing special. I just love what I do. I just think it’s important to be strong to your values and remember who you are and where you’ve come from because that’s a person that’s got you here.
“It’s not all the showbiz and the lights and the cameras – it’s that young girl that picked up a rugby ball.”
The 25-year-old, who straightened her distinctive curly hair on Monday as the result of losing a bet at training, says that while others may be looking ahead to the 27 September final, England’s focus is solely on the United States in their opening game.
“We’ll be where our feet are – we don’t look too far ahead,” she said.
“There’s no point in looking to the final or if and when we win, because if we don’t get now right, that will never be anything. It’s all ifs, buts and maybes.
“But if we focus on now, we’ve got this week leading to the United States, we’ve finished a hard training session, how do focus on our culture and bonding tonight? How do we get closer as a team?
“That’s going to be the thing that wins the World Cup. You can’t look too far ahead because you’ll trip over.”
