England's Harrison and Jones up for World Rugby women's player of the year

England fill half the shortlist for World Rugby's top individual award in the women's 15s game. Fly-half Zoe Harrison and captain Megan Jones are two of the four nominees for Women's 15s Player of the Year 2026, alongside Canada's DaLeaka Menin and New Zealand's Kaipo Olsen-Baker.

For Jones this is a second chance. The 30-year-old England captain was also nominated last year, when the award went to Canada's Sophie de Goede.

Harrison, 28, has kicked 88 points for England this year. She also scored the interception try that won England's match against New Zealand in September.

Both players were part of the England side that won an eighth Women's Six Nations title in a row in May. That title came during a 41-match unbeaten run, which ended this month when England lost back-to-back games to Canada, the country Menin represents on the shortlist.

Breakthrough contenders and commendations

New Zealand also have a player in the race for Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year. Elinor-Plum King is shortlisted with France's Pauline Barrat, Australia's Amelia Whitaker and Bella Vogel of the USA. Whitaker, 20, made her debut against England in Salford and has scored three tries in five games.

The selection panel also gave special commendations to Ireland hooker Cliodhna Moloney MacDonald and Black Ferns tighthead prop Veisina Mahutariki-Fakalelu.

Brett Robinson praised the field. "The quality of this year's nominees is a testament to the incredible talent, dedication and ambition driving women's rugby forward," he said.

When the winners are announced

The winners of the women's player of the year and breakthrough awards will be revealed on the weekend of Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, and the trophies will be handed over after the players' last WXV Global Series matches. The rugby fixtures page lists the rest of the weekend's matches.

Fans have until Wednesday 28 October to vote for the IRPA Women's 15s Try of the Year. Olivia Apps, Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Abi Burton and Léa Champon are on that shortlist. The World Rugby Women's 15s Dream Team of the Year will be named on Monday 2 November.