1: Hope Rogers (USA)
The Exeter Chiefs prop was one of the standout forwards in WXV1. She crossed for two tries and made plenty of hard yards with ball in hand – her 42 carries were the most of any tight-five forward, while she was the only one to gain over 100 metres (105). It wasn’t just in attack that she had an impact though, with Ireland’s Linda Djougang (44) being the only front rower to make more tackles than the American (42).
2: Emily Tuttosi (Canada)
The Canadian hooker put in an all-action performance during this year’s WXV1, ranking in the top three front rowers for carries (31), tackles (41) and attacking rucks (55). Even when tackled she was a threat for opposition defenders, making four offloads – the joint most of any front row forward – while at the set-piece her tally of 34 successful line-out throws was at least 10 more than any other hooker.
3: Eva Karpani (Australia)
Karpani was the standout front row in WXV, according to the Opta Index, and it’s easy to see why, particularly with ball in hand. From her 26 carries she gained 111 metres, more than twice as many as any other front row, while her tally of three line breaks was as many as every other front row in WXV2 combined. Similarly, her nine defenders beaten was a high for her position in WXV2, while Italy’s Silvia Turani was the only front row in the division to match her try tally of two.
4: Zoe Aldcroft (England)
Aldcroft is a player of huge importance to England, owing to her incredible work-rate. The second row is in the top five players in WXV1 for both tackles made per 80 minutes (18.2) and attacking ruck hits per 80 minutes (24). She was a menace at the line-out, stealing three opposition throws despite playing just 180 minutes in total.
5: Laetitia Royer (Canada)
Royer was relentless at the breakdown, hitting more than 20 defensive rucks and winning five turnovers in total – the joint most of any player alongside Ireland’s Aoife Wafer and France’s Emeline Gros. She was a threat with ball in hand – her two line breaks and six defenders beaten were joint-highs for any second row, while she made the most offloads of any lock (five) and crossed for two tries.
6: Erin King (Ireland)
Ireland’s top try-scorer in WXV1 crossed for more tries than any other back rower in the top division (3). Her defensive numbers were very impressive too. King was one of three players in WXV1 to hit 20 or more defensive rucks, winning four turnovers in the process. At the set-piece she was a key cog in the Irish line-out, winning 13 in total, including one steal.
7: Aoife Wafer (Ireland)
Wafer is fast becoming one of the first names on the Ireland team sheet, with an impressive WXV1 campaign further increasing her stock. The Irish back row beat more defenders than any other forward (25) and also ranked joint-first for turnovers won with five. Her two tries, both in the historic win over the Black Ferns, will live long in the memory of Ireland fans.
8: Rachel Johnson (USA)
If there was an award for the hardest worker in WXV1 it might just go to the USA back row. She made a competition high 54 carries, along with 40 tackles and 80 ruck hits, with her combined tally for all three (174) being the most of any player. From her carries she gained 204 metres, the most of any forward and the second most of any player overall, behind England’s Kildunne.
