4 Of The Best Female Rugby Players In The World

Women’s rugby has absolutely shone in recent years, and the Red Roses have gone from strength to strength in every game they’ve played, showing great resilience, determination and teamwork. With more women taking up the sport than ever before, women’s rugby is having the moment that it so deserves, and what was previously a male-dominated sport has transformed into a world-class game for all. So, let’s take a look at some of the best female rugby players in the world as we look forward to more big games.

Key Players

Marlie Packer – Red Roses

Marlie Packer has recently been crowned World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year 2023. The Red Roses captain is a great force in the back row and proves to be a tough defensive asset to the England team, whilst equally attacking and proving to be the leading try-scorer in women’s test rugby in 2023. Make sure to watch Packer this season, and witness for yourself what makes her one of the greatest female rugby players at the moment.

Emily Scarratt – Red Roses

Playing in her first England match in 2008, Scarratt remains a pivotal player in the squad and has won eight Women’s Six Nations titles including six Grand Slams, captained Team GB in the Olympics 7s, won the 2019 World Player of the Year, was named player of the championship in 2020 Women’s Six Nations and has a Rugby World Cup title to her name.

With impeccable handling skills and a ferocious and accurate boot, amounting to her winning a number of ‘top points scorer’ accolades, Emily also has great leadership skills which help the players to come together and perform as a team.

Gabrielle Vernier – France Women

Verner was signed to the French national squad in 2017 and is a skilful member of the squad and is arguably one of the best centres in the world right now. With a successful Women’s Six Nations in 2023, the player was named as the Player of the Championship after proving to be a key player for France in the tournament. With incredibly tenacity and attacking prowess, Gabrielle is certainly one of the best women's rugby players out there, and one to watch going forward.

Portia Woodman - Black Ferns

One of the most recognisable players in women's rugby globally, Portia Woodman is the leading try scorer on the World Series. She had serious pace, determination and strength helping her to be crowned the 2015 World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year and World Rugby Women's Player of the Year in 2017. If that wasn't enough, Portia was names as the top women's sevens player of the decade, and helped the Black Ferns to win the World Cup in 2017 and 2022 and won Gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Portia Woodman also made history when she scored her 200th try in the World Sevens Series - a player that will certainly be remembered in the rugby history books.

Katelyn Vahaakolo – Black Ferns

The recently crowned World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year has stormed into the women’s New Zealand rugby team and made a serious impression after making her debut in June 2023 against Australia. She has scored five tries in her international career so far, rightly earning herself the Breakthrough Player of the Year award in November. We are certain to see a lot more of Katelyn in years to come for the Black Ferns and see what she can bring to the team.

Who will play in the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations?

It has recently been announced that Guinness are the new sponsors of the Women’s Six Nations in addition to already being the sponsor of the men’s tournament. The tournament sees some of the best female rugby players in the northern hemisphere as Europe’s international elite compete for the trophy including England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations are kicking off on 23 March 2024, which will include five rounds of fixtures.

If the Red Roses performance in 2023 is anything to go by, they are set to have another fantastic year and Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign. They will begin the tournament away against Italy on 24 March and before hosting two fixtures on their home turf, with Wales and Ireland.

Will the Red Roses retain their title for a 6th year running or will there be a new champion of the tournament in 2024?

You can witness the Red Roses face Ireland Women at Twickenham Stadium with your own eyes in the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations. Enjoy this exciting fixture with an experience to make it even more memorable, with hospitality courtesy of Keith Prowse in The Lock. Find out more here and treat your family and friends to a fantastic day at Twickenham.

2023 has been noted as the biggest year for women’s international test matches and a dawn of a new era by Sir Bill Beaumont, World Rugby Chairman, ahead of the expanded Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025. The Red Roses had a hugely successful 2023, winning the Six Nations and the inaugural WXV Tournament – we can’t wait to see what 2024 bring the team.