Items18The creator’s order
  1. 1Maggie AlphonsiMaggie AlphonsiBorn 20 Dec 1983Flanker, England. Alphonsi was the defensive heart of the England side that won the 2014 World Cup, famous for chop tackles that ended attacks at the gain line. Now a leading broadcaster, she is a good guide to the game's history as well as a player whose footage still teaches back-row defence.0i
  2. 2Sarah HunterSarah HunterBorn 19 Sept 1985Number eight, England. Hunter captained England for years and retired as their most-capped player, men or women. Watching her at the base of the scrum explains how England's set piece and maul became the most feared in the women's game.0i
  3. 3Emily ScarrattEmily ScarrattBorn 8 Feb 1990Centre, England. Scarratt scored a try and kicked goals in the 2014 World Cup final and was World Rugby Player of the Year in 2019. A complete outside back, she combined distribution, goal-kicking and defensive positioning, which is why she anchored England's midfield for more than a decade.0i
  4. 4Kendra CocksedgeKendra CocksedgeBorn 1 Jul 1988Scrum-half, New Zealand. Cocksedge won the World Cup in 2010 and 2017 and was World Rugby Player of the Year in 2015. Her quick service and goal-kicking set the Black Ferns' tempo, and she is a useful contrast with the running scrum-halves of today.0i
  5. 5Portia WoodmanPortia WoodmanBorn 12 Jul 1991Wing, New Zealand, fifteens and sevens. Woodman-Wickliffe won Olympic sevens gold in 2021 and 2024 and the fifteens World Cup in 2017, and in 2025 became the leading try scorer in women's World Cup history. Her acceleration and finishing are the simplest way for a new fan to see how wings win…0i
  6. 6Charlotte CaslickCharlotte CaslickBorn 9 Mar 1995Playmaker, Australia sevens. Caslick won the first Olympic women's sevens gold in Rio in 2016 and has been the decision-maker in Australia's sevens side for a decade. Sevens is the fastest route into women's rugby for many fans, and her vision and offloading show what that format rewards.0i
  7. 7Ruby TuiRuby TuiBorn 13 Dec 1991Wing, New Zealand. Tui won Olympic sevens gold in 2021 and the fifteens World Cup played in 2022, and her post-final interviews made her one of the sport's most recognisable voices. Her direct, high-energy running is a good entry point to the Black Ferns' attacking style.0i
  8. 8Ilona MaherIlona MaherCentre, United States. Maher won Olympic sevens bronze in 2024 and then moved into fifteens with Bristol Bears, bringing a huge social media following with her. Her powerful carrying in midfield is worth watching on its own merits, and she is the reason many new fans found the sport.0i
  9. 9Ruahei DemantRuahei DemantBorn 21 Apr 1995Fly-half, New Zealand. Demant co-captained the Black Ferns to the World Cup won in 2022 and was World Rugby women's player of the year that year. Her passing and game management are the best place to learn what a women's fly-half does when the forwards are under pressure.0i
  10. 10Pauline Bourdon SansusPauline Bourdon SansusBorn 4 Nov 1995Scrum-half, France. Bourdon Sansus has been France's first-choice scrum-half through their recent run of Six Nations contention and World Cup knockout rounds, with quick, sharp service and kicking from the base. France's attacking style is easiest to understand by watching her decide when to…0i