Six England stars lead World Rugby Women's Dream Team of the Year for 2026

England have claimed six places in World Rugby’s Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year for 2026, the most of any nation in a 15-player selection that also features five New Zealand representatives, three Canadians and one Frenchwoman.

The announcement follows New Zealand back-row Kaipo Olsen-Baker being named World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year on Saturday, after the Black Ferns defeated France 36-7 in Christchurch. Olsen-Baker, 24, takes the No. 8 shirt in the Dream Team alongside Black Ferns teammates Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Sylvia Brunt, Ayesha Leti-I’iga and Maiakawanakaulani Roos.

England’s six selections span every line of the field. Player of the Year nominees Megan Jones and Zoe Harrison are included at centre and fly-half respectively, with Jess Breach on the wing, Maddie Feaunati at blindside flanker, and props Hannah Botterman and Amy Cokayne completing the Red Roses’ haul.

Canada are represented by scrum-half Olivia Apps, lock Sophie de Goede and tighthead prop Da Leaka Menin, while Léa Champon is France’s sole inclusion at openside flanker.

Black Ferns wing Elinor-Plum King, Olsen-Baker’s teammate at New Zealand, was separately recognised as World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year.

The Dream Team was selected by an expert panel comprising former internationals Fiona Coghlan (Ireland), Lena Corson (France), Abby Gustaitis (USA), Heather Moyse (Canada), Shannon Parry (Australia), Melodie Robinson (New Zealand) and Danielle Waterman (England).

In a separate award decided by a global fan vote, France scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus claimed the International Rugby Players’ Association Women’s 15s Try of the Year for her effort against England in the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations. Her try was voted ahead of efforts from Olivia Apps, Abi Burton and Léa Champon.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said the awards recognised “exceptional skill, creativity and outstanding performances” across 2026, adding that the winners reflected “the incredible depth and ambition of the women’s game.”

World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year 2026

1. Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand)
2. Jess Breach (England)
3. Megan Jones (England)
4. Sylvia Brunt (New Zealand)
5. Ayesha Leti-I’iga (New Zealand)
6. Zoe Harrison (England)
7. Olivia Apps (Canada)
8. Hannah Botterman (England)
9. Amy Cokayne (England)
10. Da Leaka Menin (Canada)
11. Sophie de Goede (Canada)
12. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (New Zealand)
13. Maddie Feaunati (England)
14. Léa Champon (France)
15. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (New Zealand)