England Duo Nominated For World Rugby Women 15s Player Of The Year
- England fly-half Zoe Harrison and Megan Jones have been named among four nominees for the World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year award for 2026.
- Harrison and Jones are joined on the four-player shortlist by Canada's DaLeaka Menin and New Zealand's Kaipo Olsen-Baker.
- Alongside the main player of the year category, World Rugby revealed nominees for the Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award, recognizing emerging talent across international rugby.
England fly-half Zoe Harrison and Megan Jones have been named among four nominees for the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year award for 2026. The duo earned their spots on the shortlist following standout performances that drove the Red Roses to an eighth successive Six Nations title in May 2026.
World Rugby Shortlist and Contenders
Harrison and Jones are joined on the four-player shortlist by Canada’s DaLeaka Menin and New Zealand’s Kaipo Olsen-Baker. Jones was previously nominated in 2025, when she missed out on the honor to Canada’s Sophie de Goede. Harrison, 28, contributed 88 points from the tee for England over the course of the year, alongside a match-winning interception try against New Zealand in September 2026. Menin’s nomination follows a strong autumn campaign that earned her two WXV Global Series Player of the Week awards, while Olsen-Baker was recognized following a formative year under Whitney Hansen.
Breakthrough Nominations and Special Commendations
Alongside the main player of the year category, World Rugby revealed nominees for the Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award, recognizing emerging talent across international rugby. France’s Pauline Barrat, New Zealand’s Elinor-Plum King, Australia’s Amelia Whitaker, and the United States’ Bella Vogel were shortlisted. The selection panel issued special commendations to Ireland hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, New Zealand tighthead prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, and openside flanker Elinor-Plum King.
England duo Zoe Harrison and Megan Jones, Canada's DaLeaka Menin and New Zealand's Kaipo Olsen-Baker have all been nominated for World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year ✨#WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/cSpjLQE7cW
Try of the Year and Upcoming WXV Fixtures
England’s Abi Burton also received recognition from World Rugby, earning a nomination for the Women’s 15s Try of the Year for her effort against Australia during the WXV Global Series in September 2026. She is shortlisted alongside France’s Léa Champon and Pauline Bourdon Sansus, as well as Canada’s Olivia Apps. World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson praised the nominees, stating that the quality of this year’s nominees is a testament to the incredible talent, dedication and ambition driving women’s rugby forward.
Award Announcement and Voting Timeline
Online voting for supporters opened on Monday, October 26, 2026, and ran through Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The eventual winner of the Women’s 15s Player of the Year award will be announced following the conclusion of the WXV Global Series matches, with England scheduled to face the United States on Friday at 21:15 GMT. On Monday, November 2, 2026, World Rugby will unveil the Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year.
As women’s rugby continues to grow and reach new audiences around the world, it is important that we recognise the players whose performances inspire fans and the next generation. I congratulate all our nominees on their achievements and look forward to celebrating the very best of our sport through this year’s awards.
Brett Robinson