This World Cup has been lit up by some spectacular players in big moments. Most of those players come from the countries that made the semi-finals, but 2 inclusions made such an impression in the earlier rounds that they simply had to be in this team. The Red Roses, as expected, dominate this list with 7 players included. Canada have 3, New Zealand have 2 and France have 1. Scotland and Ireland have a player each in their sides after impressing in this tournament, despite not managing to beat the top 4 sides.
1. Hannah Botterman (England)
This was an easy decision. Botterman was a menace throughout this tournament. She was dominant in the scrum, at the breakdown and when she carried into defenders. You can't really ask for anything more than that from a prop - Botterman has to be in. Kelsey Clifford impressed when she came off the bench for the Red Roses, and scored a few tries, but there is a reason that Botterman was selected ahead of her when both were fit.
2. Amy Cokayne (England)
This was another easy choice to make. Amy Cokayne has been a stalwart of the England pack and is (literally) the driving force behind their deadly mauls. She scored 4 tries which makes her the highest scoring hooker in this tournament. She is an experienced and reliable presence that is often undervalued in terms of her importance to England's success.
3. Linda Djougang (Ireland)
This is my first potentially controversial pick. Maud Muir and DeLeaka Menin could easily have taken this spot but just miss out. Menin has been solid throughout the World Cup but found herself in deep trouble during scrums in the final, whilst Maud Muir has been generally impressive in every game that she has played. Djougang did not make the final four, but stood out in the games that she did play. The quarter-final against France was her best game. She scored a try in the 5th minute before going on to play the entirety of the game. Despite playing 80-minutes as a tighthead prop, she was ever-present in attack and was relentless in a brave Irish performance. This wasn't a surprise after her efforts in the group stage against Spain and Japan. She was one of the players that left the biggest impression on me in this tournament, and that's why she makes my XV.
4. Sophie de Goede (Canada)
World Player of the year - need I say more?
5. Morwenna Talling (England)
This was a tough choice - even when you only look at England players. Abbie Ward and Madoussou Fall Raclot could both have made this team, and both would have been good choices. However, Talling was an irreplaceable part of England's pack in this tournament. The Red Roses have the best pack in the World, and proved it in the World Cup. One thing that makes the pack so good is its dominance and Talling is a key part of that. She is a classic enforcer that sets a tone in games and constantly keeps England on the front foot.
6.Sadia Kabeya (England)
This position could easily have been filled by England's captain, Zoe Aldcroft. However, Jorja Miller and Sadia Kabeya have been 2 of the stars of this tournament so both have to start in this team. Kabeya won player-of-the-match in the final and deservedly so. She was a rock in defence and a constant presence for the Red Roses. The first try-scorer of the tournament has to start in my back row.
7.Jorja Miller (New Zealand)
The reason that Sadia Kabeya is at 6 in this team is the performance of Jorja Miller. The 21-year-old was nominated for breakthrough player of the year and was a key part of New Zealand's success in the World Cup. Her absence was painfully felt in the semi-final drubbing at the hands of Canada. Her ability to disrupt opposition rucks would've been invaluable against the style of attack that Canada have. She was also one of her team's biggest attacking threats and scored 4 tries in the 5 games that she played. The sevens-convert is now one of the biggest stars in World rugby.
8. Alex Mathews (England)
There have been some very impressive players at this position during the World Cup; Hele of South Africa and Olsen-Baker of New Zealand both could've been chosen in this position. However, Mathews was consistently fantastic at every opportunity. She scored twice in the final and stood in as captain when Aldcroft was injured for a couple of games. Mathews was a classy performer in every game, and a crucial part of England's success.
9.Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France)
The half back spots were very difficult to select. Bourdon Sansus missed the opening game, due to a suspension, but immediately made an impact when she returned. She was a key part of France's 84-5 victory against Brazil and scored a try herself. She also kept France alive in their comeback win over Ireland in their quarter-final. That was followed up by big games against England and New Zealand. Bourdon Sansus stood out for France in every game that she played and gave her side an edge at every opportunity.
10.Helen Nelson (Scotland)
This might be my most unexpected selection, but I am comfortable with it. Before looking at Nelson, It's worth taking a look at some other contenders. England's duo of AItchison and Harrison both had a mixed tournament. Harrison looked good for the most part but never excelled, whilst Aitchison started late due to injury and was unable to truly make her mark on this tournament. Dannah O'Brien is an excellent young player for Ireland, but that game against the Black Ferns was absolutely brutal. Ruahei Demant did impress for New Zealand, but I think Nelson did just as much with far less help. Scotland actually had one of the most successful World Cups of any country when you adjust for expectations. They made a quarter-final against England in which they competed well in tough conditions. That came after a brave showing against Canada in which Scotland troubled the eventual finalists far more than the Black Ferns did. Nelson was key to that with her running threat from the 10 position bringing a new dynamic to Scotland's attacking rugby. Nelson made a bigger positive impact on Scotland than any other fly half did for their team in this World Cup.
11.Asia Hogan-Rochester (Canada)
Desiree Miller, Jess Breach and Francesca McGhie all had good tournaments, but none were better than Hogan-Rochester. The Canadian scored consistently, with deadly hand-offs in some big moments. Hogan-Rochester brought the power to the Canadian back line that allowed them to punch through opposition defences when they couldn't offload through them. She was a constant threat and produced some of the best moments of the tournament.
12. Alex Tessier (Canada)
Tessier was crucial to Canada's kicking game, particularly against the Black Ferns. Tessier's attacking kicking game kept the Black Ferns on the back foot and gave Canada control in every game that they played. Vernier impressed for France, but Tessier's skill-set gets her in ahead of her.
13.Meg Jones (England)
Jones was nominated for the award that de Goede won, but would have been a worthy winner in her place, The Cardiff-born England star was a consistent star for her country and was one of two players to play every game for the Red Roses. Jones had the 2nd-most tackles (49) amongst backs in this World Cup and was England's biggest turnover threat, along with Hannah Botterman. She is the obvious pick in this spot.
14.Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand)
At just 18-years-old, Sorensen-Mcgee scored 11 tries at this World Cup; that is almost double the total of anyone else. she won breakthrough player of the year and is now a star of the World game. Her teammate, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, holds the all-time record having scored 22 tries across 3 World Cups. Sorensen-McGee has already achieved half of that as a teenager, so one must assume that it is a matter of time before she breaks the record that is currently held by the greatest player of all time.
15.Ellie Kildunne (England)
2024's World player of the year had an epic tournament, despite missing the quarter-final against Scotland with a concussion. She scored 5 tries, including one that really halted Canada's early charge in the final. It was a superb individual effort and one that will be replayed for years, amongst her other great tries at this World Cup. To emphasise her impact even further, Kildunne carried for 524 metres which is second only to the barnstorming Sorensen-McGee.
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