by Women’s rugby has experienced unprecedented growth and professionalization over the past decade, driven by exceptional athletes who have elevated the sport through their skill, leadership, and dedication.
These remarkable players have not only achieved outstanding individual success but have also inspired a new generation of athletes and contributed significantly to the global expansion of women’s rugby.
Top Women’s Rugby Players in 2025
This comprehensive analysis examines the careers and contributions of the sport’s most influential players who continue to define excellence in both 15s and 7s formats.
Top Women’s Rugby Players by Position and Achievement
| Player | Country | Position | Key Achievements | Notable Records |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlie Packer | England | Flanker | 2023 World Rugby Player of Year, 100+ caps, Multiple Grand Slams | England’s all-time top forwards try-scorer |
| Portia Woodman-Wickliffe | New Zealand | Wing/Fullback | 2x Olympic Gold, 2x World Cup Winner, 250+ Sevens tries | Most tries in RWC history (20), Most Sevens Series tries (250+) |
| Emily Scarratt | England | Centre/Fullback | 2019 World Rugby Player of Year, 100+ caps, 2014 RWC Winner | England’s highest points scorer, 131 RWC points |
| Ruby Tui | New Zealand | Forward | Olympic Gold (Tokyo), 2021 RWC Winner | Leading player advocate and media personality |
| Ilona Maher | USA | Forward | 2024 Olympic Bronze, Social media influencer | Largest social media following in women’s rugby |
| Sophie de Goede | Canada | Number 8 | National Captain, WXV competitor | Key to Canada’s top-4 world ranking |
| Maddison Levi | Australia | Wing | 2024 Sevens Player of Year, 83 tries in 2023-24 | Record try-scorer in a single Sevens Series season |
| Ellie Kildunne | England | Fullback | 2024 Six Nations standout, WXV champion | 14 tries in 10 appearances (2024) |
| Alex Matthews | England | Number 8 | WXV captain, 2024 Six Nations winner | England back-row cornerstone |
| Marjorie Mayans | France | Flanker | 2014 RWC participant, 2016 Olympian (Retired) | “Queen of the Tackle” defensive specialist |
England’s Foundation: Leadership and Excellence
Marlie Packer – The Fierce Leader
Marlie Packer, England’s captain and 2023 World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, represents the epitome of modern rugby leadership. The 35-year-old flanker has accumulated over 100 international caps and led England to consecutive Grand Slam victories in the Women’s Six Nations. Packer’s journey as both a world-class athlete and mother to three-year-old Oliver demonstrates how the modern game embraces life balance while maintaining elite performance standards.
Born in Yeovil, Somerset, Packer began playing rugby at age five with Ivel Barbarians, spending 13 years developing her foundation skills before transitioning through Bath and Bristol to eventually join Saracens, where she has become a cornerstone player. Her career trajectory includes participation in multiple World Cup finals (2014, 2017, 2021) and numerous Six Nations Grand Slam victories.
Packer’s leadership qualities were formally recognized when she was named captain for the inaugural WXV tournament in New Zealand, leading England to victory and earning individual recognition as World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year. Her defensive prowess, combined with exceptional breakdown skills, has made her one of the most feared forwards in international rugby.
Emily Scarratt – The Strategic Mastermind
Emily Scarratt, with over 100 international caps, stands as England’s highest-ever points scorer and one of the most tactically astute players in women’s rugby history. The Leicester-born centre has played in three Rugby World Cup finals, winning in 2014, where she contributed 16 points, including a crucial late try that secured England’s victory over Canada.
Scarratt’s unique background growing up on a Leicestershire farm has provided her with a distinctive perspective on resilience and hard work. Her agricultural upbringing taught her that success requires consistent effort and dealing with factors beyond one’s control, qualities that translated directly to her rugby career. This farming background also helped her maintain perspective during her 13-month absence due to neck surgery, viewing setbacks as challenges to overcome rather than insurmountable obstacles.
Beyond her playing achievements, Scarratt has diversified her involvement in rugby through media work, co-presenting the popular women’s rugby podcast “The Good, The Scaz, The Rugby”. Her 2019 recognition as World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year and her appointment as Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to rugby union highlight her contributions both on and off the field.
New Zealand’s Dominance: Power and Pace
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe – The Record Breaker
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe stands as arguably the most successful women’s rugby player of the modern era, holding records in both 15s and 7s formats.
She became the first woman to score 250 tries in the Sevens Series and holds the record for most tries in Rugby World Cup history with 20 tries.
Despite announcing her retirement after winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Woodman-Wickliffe surprised the rugby world by coming out of retirement in 2025 to pursue a third Rugby World Cup with the Black Ferns.
Born in Kawakawa to Kathryn and Kawhena Woodman, and of Ngāpuhi iwi descent, Woodman-Wickliffe’s athletic journey began in netball and athletics before rugby scouts identified her talent through New Zealand Rugby’s “Go for Gold” campaign in 2012.
Her pace and power have earned her comparisons to legendary New Zealand rugby icon Jonah Lomu, making her a globally recognized face of women’s rugby.
Her Olympic achievements include two gold medals (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024) and one silver medal (Rio 2016), cementing her status as one of rugby’s most successful Olympic athletes.
In May 2025, she achieved another milestone by becoming New Zealand’s leading women’s fifteen-a-side try scorer of all time with 45 tries from 26 tests, surpassing Vanessa Cootes’ long-standing record.
Rising Global Stars and Established Leaders
Ruby Tui – The Charismatic Force
Ruby Tui has emerged as one of New Zealand’s most dynamic and influential players, combining exceptional on-field performance with powerful advocacy for women’s rugby.
Her contributions to New Zealand’s Sevens gold medal at Tokyo 2020 and the Black Ferns’ 15s World Cup victory in 2021 demonstrate her versatility across formats.
Off the field, Tui has become a vocal advocate for player welfare and the broader development of women’s rugby globally.
Ilona Maher – The Social Media Pioneer
Ilona Maher represents the new generation of rugby players who leverage modern platforms to grow the sport’s global reach.
The American forward’s impressive social media following has made her one of the most visible faces of women’s rugby internationally.
Her impact extends beyond individual achievement, with rugby experts recognizing her potential influence on major tournaments, particularly with the 2025 Rugby World Cup approaching.
Maher’s Olympic bronze medal at Paris 2024 with the USA Sevens team and her transition to 15s rugby with Bristol demonstrate her commitment to excellence across formats.
Sophie de Goede – The Canadian Cornerstone
As captain of Canada’s national team, Sophie de Goede has established herself as one of the world’s premier number eights.
Her combination of physical strength and tactical intelligence has been instrumental in Canada’s rise to consistent top-four world rankings.
De Goede’s leadership has been particularly evident in major tournaments, where her ability to perform under pressure has become a defining characteristic of Canadian rugby.
Maddison Levi – The Australian Sensation
Maddison Levi burst onto the international scene with a record-breaking 2023-24 World Sevens Series campaign, scoring 83 tries and earning recognition as World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year.
Her transition to 15s rugby with Queensland Reds represents the next phase of her development, as she brings her explosive pace and finishing ability to the longer format of the game.
Legacy Players and Continuing Influence
Marjorie Mayans – The Defensive Icon
Although retired from international competition in 2022, Marjorie Mayans’ influence on women’s rugby continues through her media work and player advocacy.
Nicknamed the “Queen of the Tackle,” her defensive expertise was showcased at the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, where she represented France with distinction.
Her post-playing career focus on developing the next generation of players ensures her tactical knowledge and experience remain valuable assets to the sport.
Current World Rankings and Competitive Landscape
The current World Rugby Women’s Rankings reflect the competitive nature of international women’s rugby, with England maintaining their position at the top following their Grand Slam victory in the 2024 Six Nations Championship.
New Zealand and Canada continue to challenge for the top positions, with recent WXV tournaments providing crucial ranking points.
The professional structure of women’s rugby has evolved significantly, with players now able to pursue full-time careers in the sport.
This professionalization has resulted in higher training standards, improved performance levels, and increased global competitiveness across all major rugby nations.
Impact on Global Rugby Development
These athletes have contributed significantly to women’s rugby’s transformation from an amateur sport to a professional global enterprise.
Their achievements have inspired increased participation at grassroots levels, attracted significant media attention, and helped secure improved funding and support structures for women’s rugby programs worldwide.
The influence of these players extends beyond individual statistics and trophies. They have collectively raised the profile of women’s rugby, challenged traditional perceptions about women’s sport, and created pathways for future generations of athletes.
Their dedication to excellence, combined with their roles as ambassadors for the sport, has been instrumental in rugby’s inclusion in major tournaments and the establishment of professional leagues in multiple countries.
Future Prospects and Continuing Legacy
As women’s rugby continues its rapid growth trajectory, these players serve as foundational figures whose contributions will be remembered long after their playing careers conclude.
The 2025 Rugby World Cup in England represents a significant milestone for the sport, with record ticket sales and unprecedented global interest demonstrating the lasting impact of these exceptional athletes.
The professionalization of women’s rugby, improved global competition structures, and increased media coverage all reflect the elevated standards these players have established.
Their commitment to excellence, leadership both on and off the field, and dedication to developing the sport ensure that women’s rugby will continue to thrive and attract new generations of talented athletes.
Conclusion:
The women’s rugby landscape has been fundamentally transformed by the exceptional talents and dedication of these remarkable athletes.
From Marlie Packer’s fearless leadership to Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s record-breaking achievements, from Emily Scarratt’s tactical brilliance to the emerging stars who continue to push boundaries, these players have established women’s rugby as a premier global sport.
Their collective impact transcends individual accolades, creating a sustainable foundation for continued growth and development.
As the sport evolves and new challenges emerge, the standards of excellence, professionalism, and dedication established by these athletes will serve as the benchmark for future generations.
Women’s rugby’s position as a globally respected sport, capable of attracting massive audiences and inspiring worldwide participation, stands as a testament to its remarkable contributions and enduring legacy.