Copyright © 2026 OyList. All Rights Reserved.
Share
Items18
1
Maggie Alphonsi
Born
Flanker, 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.
More about Maggie Alphonsi2
Sarah Hunter
Born
Number 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.
More about Sarah Hunter3
Emily Scarratt
Born
Centre, 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.
More about Emily Scarratt4
Kendra Cocksedge
Born
Scrum-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.
More about Kendra Cocksedge5
Portia Woodman
Born
Wing, 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 matches.
More about Portia Woodman6
Charlotte Caslick
Born
Playmaker, 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.
More about Charlotte Caslick7
Ruby Tui
Born
Wing, 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.
More about Ruby Tui8
Ilona Maher
Centre, 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.
More about Ilona Maher9
Ruahei Demant
Born
Fly-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.
More about Ruahei Demant10
Pauline Bourdon Sansus
Born
Scrum-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 box-kick and when to go.
More about Pauline Bourdon Sansus11
Marlie Packer
Born
Flanker, England. Packer won the 2014 World Cup and later captained England, a relentless breakdown forward who wins turnovers and slows opposition ball. Her career runs from the semi-amateur days to full professionalism, which makes her a useful thread through England's rise.
More about Marlie Packer12
Zoe Aldcroft
Born
Lock and flanker, England. Aldcroft captained England to victory at the 2025 World Cup and was World Rugby women's player of the year in 2021. Her lineout work and tackling show the hidden labour behind England's dominance.
More about Zoe Aldcroft13
Ellie Kildunne
Born
Full-back, England. Kildunne was World Rugby women's player of the year in 2024 and won the World Cup with England in 2025. Her counter-attacking from deep, choosing when to kick back and when to run, is the clearest example of how the modern full-back sets tempo from the back.
More about Ellie Kildunne14
Alex Matthews
Born
Back row, England. Matthews scored twice in the 2025 World Cup final win over Canada at Twickenham, both from the close-range power play England are built on. She is the best example of how England's back row converts set-piece dominance and mauls into tries.
More about Alex Matthews15
Sadia Kabeya
Born
Openside flanker, England. Kabeya was player of the match in the 2025 World Cup final, a tribute to her tackling and breakdown work rather than headline tries. She is a good player to watch if you want to learn what an openside contributes when the cameras follow the ball.
More about Sadia Kabeya16
Sophie de Goede
Born
Lock and number eight, Canada. De Goede was World Rugby women's player of the year in 2025 after helping Canada reach the World Cup final, a forward who also kicks goals. She is the face of Canada's rise into a genuine contender.
More about Sophie de Goede17
Braxton Sorensen-McGee
Born
Wing, New Zealand. Sorensen-McGee was named World Rugby women's breakthrough player of 2025 after a prolific first World Cup as a teenager. She is the obvious young player to follow if you are starting with the Black Ferns now.
More about Braxton Sorensen-McGee18
Jorja Miller
Born
Sevens, New Zealand. Miller won Olympic sevens gold in Paris in 2024 and was named World Rugby women's sevens player of the year for 2025. Her breakdown work and tackling, in a format usually sold on speed, show that sevens rewards contact skills too.
More about Jorja Miller
