Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

The only Welshman named in World Rugby's team of the decade as English stars miss out

World Rugby have named their team of the last decade at their annual award ceremony - with one Welshman making the cut.

George North has racked up over 100 caps since making his Wales debut in 2010 and he's the only Welshman to get the nod in a team dominated, as you'd expect, by All Blacks.

Irish pair Brian O'Driscoll and Conor Murray and Italian talisman Sergio Parisse were the only other northern hemisphere representation in the team, while there was space for three South African and a solitary Australian.

Otherwise, it was made up of some of New Zealand's finest talents of the last decade - with no England player making the side.

However, England did have plenty of representation in the women's team of the decade - with eight Red Roses stars being chosen.

While the team of the decade were chosen by an expert panel in association with Mastercard at the awards, there were also a number of awards voted for by fans.

Former All Black captain Richie McCaw was handed the men's 15s player of the decade, while France's Jessy Tremouliere won the women's award.

For the sevens game, Fiji's Jerry Tuwai and New Zealand's Portia Woodman took home the men's and women's awards respectively.

The celebration of the last decade wasn't the only change for the annual awards.

Instead of awarding the best of rugby on the field over the past calendar year, World Rugby also focused the spotlight on members of the rugby family who have showcased solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting their communities and getting involved in relief efforts.

Fan Awards

  • Men’s 15s Player of the Decade in association with Tudor - Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
  • Women’s 15s Player of the Decade in association with Tudor - Jessy Trémoulière (France)
  • Men’s Sevens Player of the Decade in association with HSBC - Jerry Tuwai (Fiji)
  • Women’s Sevens Player of the Decade in association with HSBC - Portia Woodman (New Zealand)
  • Men’s 15s Try of the Decade in association with International Rugby Players - Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
  • Women’s 15s Try of the Decade in association with International Rugby Players - Portia Woodman (New Zealand)

World Rugby Awards Panel Choice

Women’s 15s Team of the Decade in association with Mastercard

  1. Rochelle Clark (ENG)
  2. Fiao’o Faamausili (NZL)
  3. Sophie Hemming (ENG)
  4. Eloise Blackwell (NZL)
  5. Tamara Taylor (ENG)
  6. Linda Itunu (NZL)
  7. Maggie Alphonsi (ENG)
  8. Safi N’Diaye (FRA)
  9. Kendra Cocksedge (NZL)
  10. Katy Daley-Mclean (ENG)
  11. Portia Woodman (NZL)
  12. Kelly Brazier (NZL)
  13. Emily Scarratt (ENG)
  14. Lydia Thompson (ENG)
  15. Danielle Waterman (ENG)

Men’s 15s Team of the Decade in association with Mastercard

  1. Tendai Mtawarira (RSA)
  2. Bismarck du Plessis (RSA)
  3. Owen Franks (NZL)
  4. Brodie Retallick (NZL)
  5. Sam Whitelock (NZL)
  6. David Pocock (AUS)
  7. Richie McCaw (NZL)
  8. Sergio Parisse (ITA)
  9. Conor Murray (IRE)
  10. Dan Carter (NZL)
  11. Bryan Habana (RSA)
  12. Ma’a Nonu (NZL)
  13. Brian O’Driscoll (IRE)
  14. George North (WAL)
  15. Ben Smith (NZL)
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.