Rugby isn’t just a sport anymore; it’s a full-blown culture shift. If you haven't been paying attention, the landscape of famous women's rugby players has moved from "niche interest" to "sold-out stadiums" in what feels like the blink of an eye.
Honestly, the 2025 World Cup changed everything.
People used to talk about women’s rugby as if it were a developmental project. That’s dead. When you watch a player like Ellie Kildunne slice through a defensive line at Allianz Stadium in front of 80,000 screaming fans, you aren't looking at "potential." You’re looking at a world-class athlete who happens to be the most marketable face in the sport right now.
But here's the thing: most casual fans still think the list of greats starts and ends with whoever is on their TV this week. They're wrong. The current era is built on the backs of pioneers who played for "travel expenses" and orange slices, and the new crop of stars is taking that legacy into a professional stratosphere we’ve never seen.
The GOAT Debate: Portia Woodman-Wickliffe vs. Everyone
If you want to start an argument in a rugby club, just ask who the greatest of all time is.
For most, the conversation begins and ends with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. The New Zealand winger is basically a cheat code. She’s the all-time leading try-scorer in Rugby World Cup history—that’s men’s and women’s combined. Let that sink in for a second.
Portia isn't just fast; she’s inevitable. She came out of retirement in 2024 because she was bored? No, she came back to remind everyone that she still sets the standard. Her resume is a joke: two 15s World Cups, two Olympic golds, and two Sevens World Cups. She’s scored three or more tries in a single Test match seven different times.
"She's evolving," says her teammate Ruahei Demant. That’s the scary part. Most players decline. Portia just gets smarter about how she ruins your weekend.
But then you have the Emily Scarratt fans.
Scarratt is the "Rolls Royce" of centers. England’s all-time leading points scorer with over 100 caps, she’s the one who kicked the Red Roses to World Cup glory in 2014. If Portia is the lightning, Scarratt is the tactical architect. She reads the game three phases ahead of everyone else. Since her retirement after the 2025 World Cup win, the hole she left in the England midfield is visible from space.
The Modern Powerhouse: Sophie de Goede
If you haven't seen Canada's Sophie de Goede play, you're missing the most complete rugby player on the planet right now.
She won the 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year for a reason. Imagine a Number 8 who dominates the breakdown, carries like a freight train, and then—just for fun—steps up to kick the 40-meter conversions. It’s unheard of.
She led Canada to the 2025 World Cup final just months after an ACL tear. That’s not just talent; that’s a different level of psychological grit.
- Nationality: Canadian
- Position: Number 8 / Lock
- Key Stat: 61 points in the 2025 World Cup
The "Maher Effect" and the New Fame
We have to talk about Ilona Maher.
If you’re on TikTok, you know her. If you aren't, you’ve probably still seen her "beast beauty" content. Maher has done more for the global visibility of famous women's rugby players than almost any marketing campaign in history.
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She isn't just a social media star, though. She’s a powerhouse on the Sevens circuit. Her ability to use her platform to normalize muscles and body positivity has brought millions of new eyes to the sport. When she signed with Bristol Bears, their social media following quadrupled overnight.
That is the "Maher Effect."
It’s a new kind of fame. It’s not just about what happens between the white lines; it’s about the brand. Players like Maher and Ellie Kildunne are proof that women’s rugby players are now genuine icons. Kildunne was recently shortlisted for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year—a first for any female rugby player.
The Rising Stars You'll Be Hearing About
The 2025 World Cup didn't just cement the legends; it birthed the next generation.
Take Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
She’s a teenager from New Zealand who finished as the 2025 World Cup’s top points scorer with 69 points. Eleven tries in her debut tournament. She’s only the third player ever to hit double figures in a single edition. She’s 19.
Then there’s Jorja Miller.
People call her a "once in a generation" talent. She’s already the World Sevens Player of the Year, and she switched to the 15s game for the World Cup like it was nothing. She plays flanker with the agility of a winger and the hit-power of a front-rower.
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The Innovation of Sadia Kabeya
Influence isn't always about tries. Sadia Kabeya is a beast on the field for England, but she’s also changing the game off it. She recently developed a satin-lined scrum cap specifically for afro-textured hair.
Rugby has a diversity problem? Kabeya is fixing it with gear.
That’s the kind of leadership that defines this era. It’s about making the sport accessible while you’re busy winning Player of the Match awards in World Cup finals.
What Professionalism Really Looks Like in 2026
It's easy to look at the sold-out crowds and think everyone is living the dream.
Kinda.
England’s Red Roses are fully professional and have been since 2019. That’s why they went on a 33-match winning streak. They have the time to recover, the nutritionists, and the analysis.
But for a lot of famous women's rugby players in the PWR (Premiership Women's Rugby), it's still a juggle. You have world-class athletes finishing a 9-to-5 job as a teacher or doctor and then driving two hours to train in the rain.
"You could only live as a professional if you get paid by both your club and your national team," says Amber van der Velden.
The gap is closing, but it’s still there. The US league (WER) is trying to bridge that by becoming a single-entity league that handles all the travel and logistics, taking the burden off the players. It’s a work in progress.
Why This Matters Right Now
We are in a "golden era," but it’s a fragile one.
The data gap is real. Most sports science is based on men. When a player like Sophie de Goede or Marlie Packer goes down with an injury, the rehab protocols are often just "what worked for the guys."
We need more female-specific research. We need more coaches like Sarah Hunter, who transitioned from being England’s most-capped player to leading their defense to a World Cup title just months after giving birth.
That is the nuance people miss.
The success of these players isn't just about their natural talent. It’s about their ability to perform while building the very infrastructure they’re playing in.
How to Follow the Game Properly
If you're looking to get into the sport or keep up with these stars, don't just wait for the World Cup. Here is how you actually stay informed:
- Watch the PWR: The Premiership Women’s Rugby is the most competitive league in the world right now. Almost every 2025 World Cup star plays here.
- Follow the Sevens Circuit: Players like Jorja Miller and Maddison Levi are doing things with a rugby ball that shouldn't be physically possible.
- Support Local Clubs: The next Braxton Sorensen-McGee is probably playing for a local club right now with zero funding.
- Look Beyond the Tries: Watch the work of players like Marlie Packer in the ruck. That’s where the game is won, even if it doesn't make the TikTok highlights.
The era of "hidden" talent is over. The stars are here, the lights are on, and the game has never been faster.
Actionable Next Steps
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To truly appreciate the current state of the game, start by watching the 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations fixtures. Pay close attention to the transition of Sevens players like Megan Jones into the 15s midfield—it’s the tactical trend defining modern international rugby. If you're in North America, track the development of the WER league, as its success will determine if the "Maher Effect" can translate into a sustainable domestic professional path for US and Canadian talent.