Jamesty
There is no denying that women’s rugby continues to captivate audiences all over the world, not only due to the fierce athleticism and thrilling competition that it features, but also due to the compelling personalities and undeniable charisma that its players possess. As we make our way through the year 2025, which will be a watershed year for the sport, a new generation of talent is emerging, while established stars continue to shine, both on and off the field.
In this article, we celebrate ten of the most captivating female rugby players who are making waves due to their extraordinary abilities, impressive accomplishments, and undeniable appeal.
List Of Top 10 Hottest Female Rugby Players In The World 2025
1. Magali Harvey
Magali Harvey is a well-known and highly regarded Canadian rugby player who is renowned for her lightning-fast speed and amazing ability to score tries. As a result of her outstanding performance at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014, she was awarded the prestigious IRB Women’s Player of the Year award. This achievement made her the first Canadian to ever be awarded this honor. A key member of the Canadian women’s rugby sevens team, Harvey also won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in 2015. This accomplishment was achieved in 2015. Her accomplishments have ensured that she will be remembered as a pioneer in the sport of rugby in Canada.
2. Portia Woodman
In the sport of women’s rugby, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who is originally from New Zealand, is a superstar on a global scale. She is the player who holds the record for the most tries scored in the history of the Rugby World Cup. She is a powerful and versatile player who can play in both sevens and XVs. World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2015, Women’s Player of the Year (XVs) in 2017, and selected as the best women’s sevens player of the decade in 2020 are just some of the accolades that have been bestowed upon Woodman in recognition of her extraordinary and remarkable abilities. The impressive list of accomplishments she has accomplished includes winning two Rugby World Cups (in 2017 and 2022), two sevens Rugby World Cups (in 2013 and 2018), as well as gold medals at the Olympic and Commonwealth sporting events. Woodman recently emerged from her retirement from international competition with the intention of competing in the Rugby World Cup for the third time, further demonstrating the enduring impact she has had on the sport.
3. Ana Poghosian
In addition to being known by her married name, Ana Botuna, Ana Poghosian is a Georgian athlete who has established a name for herself in the sport of association football as well as the sport of rugby sevens. It is common knowledge that she is a retired Georgian rugby sevens player and a current football player, despite the fact that specific information regarding her rugby career is not as widely available as it is for other players. Her ability to compete in multiple sports demonstrates the breadth of her athletic ability.
4. Cheryl Soon
Former Australian rugby union player Cheryl Soon, whose maiden name was McAfee, was a formidable opponent in both the fifteens and sevens formats of the game. She was a significant force in both formats. Additionally, she was a member of the Wallaroos squads that competed in the Rugby World Cup in 2002, 2006, and 2010, and she was instrumental in her team’s achievement of a third-place finish in 2010. Notable is the fact that Soon led the Australian sevens team to victory in the first ever women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens competition, which took place in 2009. In 2021, she was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in recognition of the significant contributions she had made to the sport. In 2012, she became a member of the International Rugby Board’s Rugby Committee, continuing her involvement in the sport after she retired from playing.
5. Emily Scarratt
Many people think that Emily Scarratt is one of the best rugby union players in the world. She is the third most-capped player in England’s history and mostly plays center and fullback. Scarratt has won many awards in her career, including the 2014 Rugby World Cup, where she scored 70 points, 16 of which came in the final. She has helped her team win the Six Nations Championship many times, including Grand Slams in 2019 and 2020. Scarratt was the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in 2019. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she was the captain of Team GB in rugby sevens. She also won a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She is a key player for the Red Roses because she always plays well and makes a difference.
6. Katherine Merchant
Katherine “Kat” Merchant used to play rugby union for England. She played 58 times for her country and scored 44 tries. Merchant was a dynamic wing who played for England in both the fifteen-a-side and seven-a-side versions of the game. She was on the team for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens and played in the 2010 and 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cups. Merchant’s career had to end early because of health problems. She announced her retirement in 2014 after suffering a number of concussions. She has stayed involved in rugby by coaching since she retired.
7. Margaret Alphonsi
Margaret “Maggie” Alphonsi is a retired English rugby union player who is one of the most well-known women in international rugby. She played for England 74 times between 2003 and 2014, which was her 11-year career. Alphonsi was a key player in England’s success, helping them win seven straight Six Nations Championships and playing a key role in their 2014 Rugby World Cup victory. She won the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year award in 2010 and was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016. Alphonsi has become a well-known rugby commentator for major broadcasters since she retired, showing that she still has an impact on the sport.
8. Rochelle Clark
Rochelle “Rocky” Clark is a famous English rugby union player. She has the most international caps for women, with 137 for England. Clark was a prop forward for 15 years. During that time, she played in four Rugby World Cup finals and was a key player on England’s 2014 World Cup-winning team. She also helped with eight Six Nations Championships. Clark was named Rugby Players Association Player of the Year in 2014 and received an MBE in 2015 for her work in rugby. She still helps the sport by coaching.
9. Natasha Hunt
Natasha “Mo” Hunt is an English rugby union player who is very good at scrum-half. She has played for England at different levels, such as the Under 20s, the A team, the sevens team, and the senior women’s national team. Hunt was a key player on the England team that won the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014. This earned her a professional contract. She has also helped her team win the Six Nations Championship several times, including the Grand Slam in 2019. Hunt has also been a key player for England in rugby sevens, where she helped the team win a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She is also a certified teacher.
10. Vicky Fleetwood
Vicky Fleetwood is an English rugby union player who is known for being able to play many positions. She usually plays hooker or in the back row. She played her first test match for England in 2011 and has since played for her country more than 75 times. Fleetwood was an important part of the England team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2014. After the 2017 World Cup, she switched to England sevens and played in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where the team won a bronze medal. She went back to XVs in 2019 and helped England win the Women’s Six Nations that year. Fleetwood is also a Level 3 personal trainer and has worked as a rugby expert.
