Eight Red Roses named in World Rugby team of the decade
Eight England players have been named in World Rugby's women’s 15s team of the decade.
The announcement was made at the World Rugby Awards Special Edition which celebrated members of the rugby family who have provided outstanding service during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as players and teams who have starred over the last decade in a virtual show.
Rochelle Clark, Sophie Hemming, Tamara Taylor, Maggie Alphonsi, Katy Daley-Mclean, Emily Scarratt, Lydia Thompson and Danielle Waterman were all included in the team of the decade. England has the most players in the team with eight, there were six from New Zealand and one from France, with 14 of the team having won the Rugby World Cup.
In the other awards, France full back Jessy Trémoulière was voted the World Rugby Women’s 15s player of the decade ahead of England’s Michaela Staniford, Sarah Hunter and Emily Scarratt, as well as four other nominees. New Zealand’s two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain Richie McCaw was named World Rugby Men’s 15s player of the decade.
Fiji’s Jerry Tuwai won the World Rugby Men’s sevens player of decade with New Zealand’s Portia Woodman winning the women’s award.
Jamie Heaslip’s try for Ireland against Italy in the 2016 Six Nations was voted International Rugby Players Men’s 15s try of the decade by fans after seeing off the competition from scores by Chris Ashton, Radike Samo, Bryan Habana, Beauden Barrett, Francois Hougaard, Julian Savea, Joaquín Tuculet, Brodie Retallick and TJ Perenara.
Woodman claimed her second award of the night when her try against USA in the Rugby World Cup 2017 semi-final was named International Rugby Players Women’s 15s Try of the Decade ahead of efforts by Alison Miller, Magali Harvey, Megan York and Danielle Waterman.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “First and foremost, I am deeply proud of how the global rugby family has reacted to what has been an exceptionally challenging year. The rugby heroes featured in the ceremony and all the others that provided outstanding service during the pandemic are an inspiration to us all. This special edition of the World Rugby Awards is certainly a tribute to their resilience and solidarity.
“I would like to congratulate all tonight’s recipients for their outstanding contribution to our game over the last decade, and for some of them, for many years to come. They are already part of rugby’s history and it is my great privilege to acknowledge their legacy with these awards.”
World Rugby's women’s 15s team of the decade
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)
World Rugby's men’s 15s team of the decade
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)
