Props
Hannah Botterman Bristol Bears Wanted to prove she is the best loosehead prop in the world and duly delivered. England at times would have been in big trouble without her, particularly in the semi-final where she came out with three turnovers. Her skilful try against the USA was a highlight and at the age of 26 may not even be in her prime yet. 9/10
Appearances 4 | Tries 1 | Points 5
Kelsey Clifford Saracens Dependable off the bench but also flawless when given starting role for the injured Botterman in the quarter-final, including two tries to back up two the week before. Everything you want from an impact player. 8/10
Appearances 6 | Tries 5 | Points 25
Sarah Bern Bristol Bears Another part of a Bomb Squad who came off the bench to more than play their part, particularly during the final where the scrum won them valuable territory and momentum. 8/10
Appearances 6 | Tries 2 | Points 10
Maud Muir Gloucester-Hartpury Ball carrier, monster scrummager and try-scorer, what more could you want in a tighthead prop? Another character who does a lot of work that gets overlooked and a young player who is only going to get better. 8/10
Appearances 6 | Tries 1 | Points 5
Mackenzie Carson The player was not called upon as much as she would have liked but managed that disappointment well and scored when she played. The front row options in this England team are never-ending and it will only make Carson’s and her teammates games better for having the competition in the squad. 6/10
Appearances 2 | Tries 1 | Points 5
Hookers
Amy Cokayne Sale Sharks One of the stars who rarely has a bad game for England and goes about her business but is not put in the spotlight. She is consistent and an experienced voice which only adds to the leadership in this Red Roses team. Another great tournament. 8/10
Appearances 5 | Tries 4 | Points 20
Lark Atkin-Davies Bristol Bears Second-choice hooker but that did not affect her performances. Got over the try line a few times and was solid at set piece. She has fierce competition with Cokayne for the starting shirt but it only makes each of them better. 7/10
Appearances 6 | Tries 3 | Points 15
May Campbell Saracens Only received minutes against Samoa in the pool stage. She played well for the time she got but realistically cannot be ranked any higher because she didn’t have a chance to show what she can really do. 6/10
Appearances 1 | Tries 0 | Points 0
Second row
Abbie Ward Bristol Bears To score in the 2025 final after not catching the crucial lineout at the 2022 final was a perfect full circle moment. Part of the leadership group in the team and her voice in crucial moments was just as important. The lock is also carving a path for what is possible for mothers in rugby, having given birth to daughter Hallie two years ago. 8/10
Appearances 5 | Tries 3 | Points 15
Rosie Galligan Saracens Always steps up when needed and creates good competition for the other second rows. Her emotion post-final showed what it meant to her to become a world champion but her best performances in an England shirt are still ahead of her. 7/10
Appearances 6 | Tries 0 | Points 0
Morwenna Talling Sale Sharks Quiet and humble off the pitch but on it she is so impressive. Player of the match in the quarter-final and continued to put in stellar efforts. In the final she came up with a penalty at a crucial time and her consistency allows others around her to fly. 9/10
Appearances 5 | Tries 1 | Points 5
Lilli Ives Campion Loughborough Held the third role in the team for most of the tournament; someone who does not play on the weekend but preps the girls in training during the week. She had limited minutes but played a big part, including revving the crowd up in Bristol while playing the drums. 6/10
Appearances 2 | Tries 0 | Points 0
Back row
Zoe Aldcroft Gloucester-Hartpury Captain fantastic. What a tournament from the back rower. Kept a calm head in moments where some would panic and led her team to history. No tries for herself but she is a figure the rest of the team want to run through brick walls for. Conjured a turnover on England’s tryline in the final. 9/10
Appearances 4 | Tries 0 | Points 0
Maddie Feaunati Exeter Her versatility was a blessing and a curse as John Mitchell wanted his back row cover to be able to play in all three positions and so she started on the bench often but was so effective. Could have played for New Zealand but chose England and has taken the opportunity with both hands. One to watch. 7/10
Appearances 6 | Tries 1 | Points 5
Marlie Packer Saracens Had so much to deal with personally after having the captaincy taken from her in early 2025 and not being selected for matchday squads. Only played one game, against Samoa in the pool stage, but she is a team player and did everything she could off the pitch to help this team succeed. 6/10
Appearances 1 | Tries 1 | Points 5
Sadia Kabeya Loughborough Only 23 but has played in two World Cup finals and was player of the match against Canada. Consistent throughout and has only grown into the seven shirt this competition. Not only did she get a few tries this World Cup but her efforts in defence were unbelievable. 8/10
Appearances 5 | Tries 3 | Points 15
Alex Matthews Gloucester-Hartpury Classic case of being hugely underrated. Never has a bad game in an England shirt and is regularly a key figure or player of the match on the big occasions. Fitting she scored two tries in the final to receive some much deserved plaudits. Her efforts across the tournament both with action and words went above and beyond and to see her lead her country out as captain to a sold-out Brighton stadium in their final pool game was magic. 9/10
Appearances 5 | Tries 2 | Points 10
Abi Burton Trailfinders Another player who was on the drums in the knockout phase and got minutes in the pool stage. From winning her first 15s cap in the 2025 Six Nations to becoming a world champion, an impressive year for the sevens star. 6/10
Appearances 1 | Tries 0 | Points 0
Scrum-half
Natasha Hunt Gloucester-Hartpury Being left out of the last World Cup squad only improved her performances. She fought her way back into the side and was the starting scrum-half for a tournament which has changed the sport for ever. She not only brought experience from winning in 2014 but her decisiveness and accuracy unlocked England’s attack at times. 8/10
Appearances 6 | Tries 0 | Points 0
Lucy Packer Harlequins Perfect player to come off the bench and finish off games, bringing energy and experience. Started the 2022 final when injury hit the squad and some wanted her to start the 2025 final. Calm head coming on in the closing minutes and picked up right where Hunt left off. 8/10
Appearances 6 | Tries 1 | Points 5
Fly-half
Zoe Harrison Saracens Has good competition with Aitchison for the fly-half shirt but this tournament has made the spot her own. The main element of her game that she has improved are her kicks at goal, especially under pressure. The No 10 only missed one in the final where every point was valuable and she marshalled the game extremely well. 8/10
Appearances 6 | Tries 0 | Points 42
Holly Aitchison Sale Sharks Unfortunate to pick up an ankle injury before the start of the tournament with Mitchell saying she was playing some of her best rugby before the issue. Consistent presence on pitch throughout the knockout stages, starting the quarter-final and coming off the bench for the semi-final and final. Her best is yet to come. 7/10
Appearances 4 | Tries 1 | Points 15
Wingers
Jess Breach Saracens England’s top try-scorer with six and started every game. Won her 50th cap in the final pool game and scored her 50th try in an England shirt, becoming the fifth Red Rose to do so. Electric in attack but in defence not always solid. 7/10
Appearances 6 | Tries 6 | Points 30
Abby Dow Unattached One of the fastest on the team, delivering tries but also drawing defenders to open gaps for other people. Her try haul won’t be as high as she would have wanted with two across the tournament but one of those was her 50th. 8/10
Appearances 5 | Tries 2 | Points 10
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald Exeter Only played against Samoa but had a good game and scored a try. Yet another example of how having a complete 32-player squad on board is what wins tournaments. There is no doubt she has more to give in this England team too. 6/10
Appearances 1 | Tries 1 | Points 5
Centres
Meg Jones Trailfinders England’s player of the tournament for all she gives on and off the pitch. Made breaks, won penalties and scored tries as well as being an inspirational leader. Best performance came against France and stepped up to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Authentic in front of the media and no wonder she is vice-captain and a key voice. 9/10
Appearances 6 | Tries 3 | Points 15
Tatyana Heard Gloucester-Hartpury Inconsistent tournament overall but came good in the final. Cokayne had said the final would be for big game players and Heard more than fulfilled that role. She was brave in attack, intercepting a ball when Canada looked threatening, and fronted up in defence. 8/10
Appearances 5 | Tries 0 | Points 0
Emily Scarratt Loughborough First England player to compete at five Rugby World Cups. She only got minutes in the first game against the USA as injury ruled her out for the Samoa game but her calm messages as a water-carrier during matches were so key in the knockout games they were credited by Aldcroft in press conferences. Fully deserving of the title of two-time World Cup winner. 6/10
Appearances 1 | Tries 0 | Points 0
Jade Shekells Gloucester-Hartpury Given some minutes in the pool stage with John Mitchell making sure every one of the 32 some form of game time in this competition. Another star who put her own feelings on not playing aside for the team. 6/10
Appearances 1 | Tries 0 | Points 0
Full-back
Ellie Kildunne Harlequins What more is there to say about this lightning in a bottle? Fans’ favourite rewarded them again for their support with an electric try in the final which set England on their path to victory. Her two efforts in the semi-final also happened at crucial moments and halted France’s momentum. Always lives up to her hype and isn’t yet in her prime – a scary thought for future opposition. 9/10
Appearances 4 | Tries 5 | Points 25
Emma Sing Gloucester-Hartpury Not many minutes under her belt but would have been a hugely beneficial experience for her to have game time in her first World Cup. The 24-year-old has so much time to keep pushing for a starting England shirt, though the competition at No 15 is fierce. 6/10
Appearances 3 | Tries 0 | Points 2
Helena Rowland Loughborough Versatility meant she was mainly one to come off the bench. Started as fly-half against Samoa and scored the most points any Red Roses player has in a World Cup game with 27. Her match at full-back in the quarter-final was a less strong performance. Would start in any other team but her versatility for the Red Roses makes her invaluable. 8/10
Appearances 5 | Tries 1 | Points 27
This article is part of the Guardian’s print supplement celebrating England’s World Cup win, available with Monday’s newspaper.
