A proud Yorkshire woman, England's undisputed No.1 full-back Ellie Kildunne was over-joyed when she heard York will host six Rugby World Cup 2025 pool stage matches.
The city's newly minted Community Stadium - opened ahead of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup - will welcome the likes of defending champions, New Zealand, world No.2 ranked Canada and Ilona Maher's USA, giving locals an opportunity to see the best in action and fans from all over the globe a chance to discover York.
Here is where they should go and what they should do from one of the city's favourite daughters:
Why York will be brilliant RWC 2025 host:
Hosting international sporting fixtures in York means a lot to the people. Everyone in York is proud to be from York and the city loves to host people from a multitude of backgrounds making the Community Stadium an ideal venue!
The best England has to offer:
York is such a cool city filled with nods to its rich history. It’s arty and there is so much to see as you walk around.
Every time I’ve been to York there’s a new thing I’ve come across which I haven’t see before! It’s a vibrant place.
Unrivalled pre-match entertainment:
There are so many things to see in York.
You have York Minster it’s one of the best cathedrals in the world. The City Walls offer a brilliant circular wall trail of the city centre. The Jorvik Viking Centre delves into the Viking-age city of Jorvik (ancient York).
The you've got the Shambles, the National Railway Museum, Ghost Tours, City Cruises, the Racecourse… I could go on and on!
You won’t be disappointed by just wondering the streets.
Top food, drink and sport on TV options:
Keystones and the Stonebow Pub are cool places to watch sport. Good food and good atmospheres.
Great community rugby clubs to pop into:
York Acorn RFC and Nestle Rowntree are good clubs in the area who do positive things for grassroots rugby.
Setting women's rugby 'on fire' in the region:
I was so excited for the city when I heard RWC 2025 matches were coming to the Community Stadium. It’s great for the region to be able to host iconic matches of a tournament which will hopefully set women’s rugby on fire in this country.
Hopefully it will help inspire young people in the area to pick up a rugby ball.
