Zoe’s on top of world along with Middleton
ENGLAND second row Zoe Aldcroft was crowned World Rugby women’s player of the year, following Red Roses boss Simon Middleton who became the first coach of a women’s team to be named World Rugby coach of the year.
France scrum-half Antoine Dupont was named men’s player of the year.
Aldcroft’s recognition follows an impressive Autumn Series for England in which the 25year-old captained the Red Roses for the first time.
In November, England’s women dominated world champions New Zealand over two matches, winning 56-15 and 43-12, and subsequently extending their unbeaten run to 18 Tests.
Aldcroft is the fourth England player to win the award following Michaela Staniford (2012), Sarah Hunter (2016) and Emily Scarratt (2019).
“I’m so proud,” she said. “I’m very honoured to accept the award.
“I’d like to dedicate it to all of the teammates, coaching and management staff that I work with for club and country.
“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.”
Aldcroft won the public vote ahead of England teammate
Poppy Cleall, France scrum-half
Laure Sansus and France wing Caroline Boujard.
Middleton, 55, beat the All Blacks’ Ian Foster, Australia’s Dave Rennie and New Zealand women’s Sevens coaches Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney.
He said: “Hopefully it opens the door to anybody else who should be considered.
“It adds another layer of credibility on to where we’re trying to get to, elevating the game.”
Dupont, below, became the first Frenchman to win the prestigious award since Thierry Dusautoir in 2011, receiving two-thirds of the public vote. The 25year-old has been at the heart of a fast-developing young French team. His reading of the game, allied with his passing speed and turn of pace, invariably mean he’s in the right place to start or finish off a flowing French
attack. He crossed for three tries in the Six Nations and then was handed the captaincy
for the
Autumn Nations Series, leading France to three wins, including a first over New Zealand on home soil since 2000.
New Zealand wing Will Jordan, 23, was named Breakthrough Player of the Year after scoring 15 tries in 11 Tests. He beat off competition from Wales star Louis ReesZammit, England fly-half Marcus Smith and Australia’s Andrew Kellaway.
Marcos Moneta (Argentina) was named men’s Sevens Player of the Year with Anne-Cécile Ciofani (France) winning the women’s award.
Damian Penaud’s try for France against Scotland in the Six Nations won best men’s try with compatriot Emilie Boulard winning best women’s try against Wales.
Dream Team:
Stuart Hogg (Scot); Will Jordan (NZ), Lukhanyo Am (S Africa), Samu Kerevi (Aus), Makazole Mapimpi (S Africa), Beauden Barrett (NZ), Antoine Dupont (Fr); Wyn Jones (Wales), Malcolm Marx (S Africa), Tadhg Furlong (Ire), Maro Itoje (Eng), Eben Etzebeth (S Africa), Siya Kolisi (S Africa), Michael Hooper (Aus), Ardie Savea (NZ)
The women’s team was dominated by England and France. France provides six players, one more than England, with Canada, Italy, New Zealand and Wales each providing one. Jasmine Joyce (Wales) ; Caroline Boujard (Fr), Stacey Fluhler (NZ), Beatrice Rigoni (It), Abby Dow (Eng), Caroline Drouin, Laure Sansus; Annaëlle Deshayes, Agathe Sochat (all Fr), Sarah Bern (Eng), Safi N’Diaye (Fr), Abbie Ward, Zoe Aldcroft (both Eng), Karen Paquin (Can), Poppy Cleall (Eng)