England’s dynamic centre Meg Jones has been officially shortlisted for the prestigious World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year 2025 award, a recognition of her outstanding season in both domestic and international rugby. This nomination comes as England’s Red Roses prepare for the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham, where Jones has been one of the standout performers throughout the tournament.
A Key Figure in England’s 2025 Campaign
Jones, aged 28, has been at the heart of England’s success this year. She has started 11 of the team’s 12 international matches in 2025, showing remarkable consistency and resilience. Her leadership on the field, combined with her defensive sharpness and attacking creativity, has made her a vital part of John Mitchell’s squad.
During the Six Nations earlier this year, Jones played a central role in guiding England to another Grand Slam triumph, keeping their dominance intact in European rugby. Now, her impact has carried into the World Cup, where she has been crucial in taking England to the brink of another global title.
Semi-Final Heroics Against France
Jones’s nomination owes much to her pivotal role in England’s dramatic semi-final victory over France.
- She made four turnovers, a statistic that highlights her ability to disrupt opposition attacks and create momentum shifts.
- Her defensive presence was immense, combining jackals at the breakdown with hard-hitting tackles that stopped France in their tracks.
- Offensively, she contributed not just with ball carries but also with her decision-making, controlling the flow of the game in high-pressure moments.
Former New Zealand World Cup winner Ruby Tui, speaking as a pundit, praised Jones as a “momentum controller,” noting that her presence inspires belief across the entire stadium.
A Season of Try-Scoring and Leadership
While Jones is celebrated for her defensive power and tactical awareness, she has also contributed on the scoreboard. She has scored three tries at the 2025 World Cup, adding to her reputation as a player who can make an impact in both attack and defence.
Her background as a former England Sevens leader has shaped her rugby intelligence, giving her adaptability across formats. Many observers credit her with bringing a sevens-style sharpness and vision into England’s 15s midfield, making her one of the most complete players in the women’s game.
The Competition: De Goede and Miller
Jones is up against two equally impressive nominees:
- Sophie de Goede (Canada): The Canadian captain has returned strongly from an ACL injury and has been instrumental in her country’s progress at the World Cup. She contributes heavily in lineouts, open-field carries, and kicking, often topping the stats for both points and metres gained. De Goede is widely recognised as one of the most balanced forwards in world rugby.
- Jorja Miller (New Zealand): At just 21, Miller has been a revelation for the Black Ferns. Having already starred in sevens, she has transitioned seamlessly into the 15s game, producing standout moments with her explosive running and high work rate. Miller has also been nominated for the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award, underlining her rapid rise on the international stage.
England’s Strong History in the Awards
England’s dominance in women’s rugby has been reflected in these awards in recent years. In fact, four of the last five Women’s 15s Players of the Year have been English.
- The current holder is Ellie Kildunne, England’s electric full-back, who lifted the honour in 2024.
- Other previous winners include Marlie Packer and Emily Scarratt, demonstrating the Red Roses’ remarkable depth of talent.
Jones’s nomination therefore continues a tradition of English excellence, but she faces fierce competition from de Goede and Miller, both of whom represent the new wave of international stars.
Breakthrough Player of the Year: A Parallel Storyline
Alongside the main award, World Rugby will also present the Breakthrough Player of the Year 2025 honour. Nominees include:
- Jorja Miller (New Zealand)
- Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand)
- Josifini Neihamu (Fiji)
This highlights the rapid development of young talent in the global game, particularly in the Pacific nations, where rugby continues to grow at an explosive pace.
Awards to Be Announced at the World Cup Final
The winners of all major awards will be revealed during the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham on Saturday. Alongside the Player of the Year award, World Rugby will also crown winners in several other categories, including:
- Coach of the Year
- Referee of the Year
- Breakthrough Player of the Year
- Dream Team of the Year
- Try of the Year
The event is expected to be one of the most watched women’s rugby occasions in history, with a global audience tuning in to see if England can claim another world title — and whether Meg Jones will take home the sport’s highest individual honour.
Meg Jones on the Bigger Picture
Beyond statistics and trophies, Jones has spoken about what this World Cup means to her and her teammates.
“It’s about visibility, identity, and showing up fully on and off the pitch,” she said in a post-match interview. “We’ve earned the right to be here, not just as a team, but as individuals who bring everything we are into this squad.”
Her words reflect a broader theme in women’s rugby — the push for recognition, visibility, and equality in a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity worldwide.
Meg Jones’s nomination for World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year 2025 is more than just recognition of her skills. It celebrates her role as a leader, a game-changer, and an ambassador for women’s rugby at a global level. Whether she wins the award or not, her performances in 2025 — from the Six Nations Grand Slam to the World Cup semi-final heroics — have already cemented her status as one of the best players in the modern era.
All eyes now turn to Twickenham, where the Red Roses chase another world title and Jones looks to join the ranks of England’s greatest rugby icons.
The Information is Collected from BBC and Sky Sports.
