World Rugby have announced Gloucester-Hartpury's Zoe Aldcroft as their Women's Player of the Year. Having been nominated alongside Caroline Boujard (France), Poppy Cleall (England) and Laure Sansus (France), Aldcroft won the vote and was awarded the title infront of her teammates by Maggie Alphonsi at training.

Aldcroft has played a key role in England's 18 game winning streak and captained the side in their most recent fixture where she also scored a try as the Red Roses defeated the USA 89-0.

Aldcroft joins the likes of Emily Scarratt and Sarah Hunter as English players to have won the World Rugby Player of the Year award and she was shocked when she found out she had won it.

“I am absolutely shocked and made up to be named World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year 2021. It was an honour to be nominated in the first instance and I’m absolutely over the moon.

“Having seen the likes of Emily Scarratt and Sarah Hunter, who I have the privilege of playing with, win this award in recent years and to follow in their footsteps is an amazing feeling.

“Any individual awards are a reflection of a team effort and I’d like to dedicate this to all of the team-mates, coaching and management staff that I work with for club and country. Their support is invaluable and I can’t thank them enough for everything they do.

“From an England perspective, we’re looking forward to the Six Nations and then the World Cup in New Zealand later in 2022 – we’re heading into a huge year for the women’s game.”

Zoe Aldcroft named as World Rugby's Player of the Year

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