Best Female Rugby Players of All Time: Union & Sevens
A look at the most influential and decorated female rugby players across both Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens, from try-scoring wingers to dominant forwards.
Women’s rugby has produced some of the most complete and tenacious athletes in team sport. Players like Portia Woodman, Sarah Hunter, and Magali Harvey have defined generations of both Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens, combining physicality, skill, and leadership to elevate the women’s game to a global audience.
What Makes a Great Female Rugby Player
Greatness in women’s rugby spans two distinct formats. In Rugby Union (15s), it demands endurance, set-piece dominance, tactical intelligence, and leadership over 80 minutes. In Rugby Sevens, the premium is on explosive pace, footwork under pressure, and the ability to perform on the biggest stages — including the Olympic Games.
The players who endure across multiple World Cups or Olympic cycles tend to share a few traits: consistency at the highest level, adaptability to both formats, and an ability to elevate those around them.
Widely Regarded Top Female Rugby Players
The table below covers players broadly recognised by coaches, commentators, and governing bodies as among the most impactful in the history of the women’s game.
| Player | Country | Primary Format | Position | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portia Woodman | New Zealand | Sevens / Union | Wing | Olympic gold medallist; among the most prolific try-scorers in Sevens history |
| Michaela Blyde | New Zealand | Sevens | Wing / Back | Speed and finishing ability; multiple World Series titles |
| Sarah Hunter | England | Union (15s) | Flanker / No. 8 | Long-serving England captain; multiple Six Nations titles |
| Magali Harvey | Canada | Union / Sevens | Fly-half | Widely regarded as one of the best fly-halves in the women’s game |
| Portia Woodman-Wickliffe | New Zealand | Union | Wing | Also listed above — transitioned to dominant 15s career with Black Ferns |
| Fiao’o Faamausili | New Zealand | Union (15s) | Hooker | Former Black Ferns captain; World Cup winner; pioneer of the modern game |
| Emily Scarratt | England | Union (15s) | Centre / Fly-half | Rugby World Cup winner and consistent performer over more than a decade |
| Lydia Thompson | England | Union / Sevens | Wing | Speed and consistency across both formats for England |
Rugby Union: The 15s Game
Women’s Rugby Union has been shaped heavily by New Zealand and England. The Black Ferns have won the Rugby World Cup multiple times across the tournament’s history, while England have been a consistent force, reaching multiple finals.
Sarah Hunter exemplifies what a Union forward can achieve — captaining England over many years, driving lineout and breakdown work, and mentoring younger players through a long international career.
Emily Scarratt is equally celebrated for her ability to perform under pressure in big matches, including decisive moments in World Cup campaigns. Her versatility across the backline has made her one of England’s most valuable assets.
Rugby Sevens: Speed, Skill, and the Olympic Stage
The inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Games from 2016 onwards brought women’s rugby to an entirely new global audience. New Zealand has been a dominant force, with Portia Woodman arguably the most recognisable women’s Sevens player in the world.
Woodman’s combination of pace and finishing — routinely threatening defences in wide channels — made her a standard-bearer for what an elite wing in the abbreviated game can achieve.
Michaela Blyde, who took on a larger role in the New Zealand squad in the years following Woodman’s shift toward 15s, continued that tradition of clinical wide play. Canada’s Magali Harvey brought creative playmaking at fly-half across both formats, making her one of the most technically complete players of her generation.
What the Next Generation Is Building On
The players above helped transform women’s rugby from a sport with limited professional infrastructure into one with growing broadcast deals, professional leagues, and Olympic prominence. Their careers provide a blueprint — physical excellence, longevity, and the willingness to compete in multiple formats.
With competition levels rising in nations like France, Australia, the USA, and South Africa, the list of truly elite female rugby players will only grow in the years ahead.
Quick summary: The best female rugby players span both Rugby Union and Sevens — from the explosive finishing of Portia Woodman to the forward leadership of Sarah Hunter and the playmaking craft of Magali Harvey. New Zealand and England have produced the most widely recognised talent, though the global talent pool continues to deepen with each World Cup and Olympic cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Who is considered the best female rugby player of all time?+
There is no single consensus, but players like Portia Woodman (New Zealand), Sarah Hunter (England), and Magali Harvey (Canada) are widely regarded among the greatest ever across both formats.
What is the difference between Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens for women?+
Rugby Union is the 15-a-side format played across 80 minutes, including the Rugby World Cup. Rugby Sevens is a faster 7-a-side version featured at the Olympics, requiring different physical and tactical skills.
Which country has the strongest women's rugby team?+
New Zealand (the Black Ferns) and England have historically dominated women's Rugby Union, while New Zealand, Australia, and Canada have been consistently strong in Women's Rugby Sevens on the World Series circuit.