Methodology

This ranking is based on a combination of performance metrics and career achievements:

• International impact: caps, leadership roles, and contribution to national team success.
• World Cup and major titles: performance in Rugby World Cup, Six Nations, and Olympic tournaments.
• Individual recognition: awards such as World Rugby Player of the Year, Player of the Decade, or tournament honours.
• SB Score (stats-based): weighted score reflecting longevity, scoring, versatility, and influence.

The SB Market Index balances objective achievements with subjective recognition, ensuring players from different eras are fairly ranked.

Industry Insights (Expert recognition and historical significance)

Sources include Rugby World and Ruck.co.uk, ensuring industry-recognised assessments of performance, influence, and awards.

SB Score (Stats-Based)

The SB Score is normalised to prioritise caps, major titles, versatility, and awards. The top player is normalized to 1.0.

SB Market Index (Final Ranking)

Sophie de Goede

As Canada shone en route to the 2025 World Cup final, the powerful number 8 played a central role in playmaking and leadership.

Sophie de Goede rugby approach is focused on versatility, including taking goal kicks, scoring tries, and creating crucial turnovers.

Her achievements include the 2025 Player of the Year and, judging by her trajectory, will include leading the Canucks to world glory.

Sophie de Goede celebrates with teammates after winning the Player of the Year Trophy//Getty Images

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe

The intense New Zealand wing has a tremendous resume, including the most tries for her country in rugby union and rugby sevens.

Portia Woodman rugby achievements include two World Cup trophies and gold at the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games.

As one of the finest to wear the Black Ferns jersey, she is a recipient of the World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year prize twice.

As Canada shone en route to the 2025 World Cup final, the powerful number 8 played a central role in playmaking and leadership.

Sophie de Goede rugby approach is focused on versatility, including taking goal kicks, scoring tries, and creating crucial turnovers.

Her achievements include the 2025 Player of the Year and, judging by her trajectory, will include leading the Canucks to world glory.

Sophie de Goede celebrates with teammates after winning the Player of the Year Trophy//Getty Images

Sophie de Goede

As Canada shone en route to the 2025 World Cup final, the powerful number 8 played a central role in playmaking and leadership.

Sophie de Goede rugby approach is focused on versatility, including taking goal kicks, scoring tries, and creating crucial turnovers.

Her achievements include the 2025 Player of the Year and, judging by her trajectory, will include leading the Canucks to world glory.

Sophie de Goede celebrates with teammates after winning the Player of the Year Trophy//Getty Images

As Canada shone en route to the 2025 World Cup final, the powerful number 8 played a central role in playmaking and leadership.

Sophie de Goede rugby approach is focused on versatility, including taking goal kicks, scoring tries, and creating crucial turnovers.

Her achievements include the 2025 Player of the Year and, judging by her trajectory, will include leading the Canucks to world glory.

Sophie de Goede celebrates with teammates after winning the Player of the Year Trophy//Getty Images

As Canada shone en route to the 2025 World Cup final, the powerful number 8 played a central role in playmaking and leadership.

Sophie de Goede rugby approach is focused on versatility, including taking goal kicks, scoring tries, and creating crucial turnovers.

Her achievements include the 2025 Player of the Year and, judging by her trajectory, will include leading the Canucks to world glory.

Sophie de Goede celebrates with teammates after winning the Player of the Year Trophy//Getty Images

As Canada shone en route to the 2025 World Cup final, the powerful number 8 played a central role in playmaking and leadership.

Sophie de Goede rugby approach is focused on versatility, including taking goal kicks, scoring tries, and creating crucial turnovers.

Her achievements include the 2025 Player of the Year and, judging by her trajectory, will include leading the Canucks to world glory.

Sophie de Goede celebrates with teammates after winning the Player of the Year Trophy//Getty Images

Sophie de Goede celebrates with teammates after winning the Player of the Year Trophy//Getty Images

Sarah Hunter

The England number 8 has been a standout for her country for years now, having captained the national team successfully for many years.

As an anchor in the second row, Sarah Hunter led the Red Roses to the 2014 World Cup and was part of their run of 10 Six Nations titles.

Having also led England to the runners-up position in the 2021 edition, she has excelled at the top consistently and has earned 141 caps.

Jessy Tremouliere

While the France fullback has not yet watched her country lift the World Cup trophy, she has been part of many memorable campaigns, including bronze finishes in the 2014 and 2017 editions.

Jessy Tremouliere’s list of personal accolades includes the 2018 Player of the Year and the Player of the Decade (2010 to 2019), as well as leading Les Bleues to the Six Nations trophy in 2014.

Emily Scarratt

The England centre was front and centre as the Red Roses clinched the 2014 World Cup title, with her tactics and vision key to their victorious campaign.

Emily Scarratt is her country’s all-time points scorer, captaining the team at the Olympic Games in 2016 and earning the 2019 Player of the Year accolade.

Ruby Tui

Among the most successful Rugby World Cup women, the outside centre has successfully bridged the gap between the sevens and 15s formats.

Ruby Tui is an Olympic gold medalist and was part of New Zealand’s 2021 Rugby World Cup win, utilising her agility, speed, and playmaking skills.

Other Legends

Vanessa Cootes, Gill Burns, Maggie Alphonsi, Liza Burgess, Gabrielle Vernier, Zoe Aldcroft, Ellie Kildunne, Megan Jones, Jorja Miller each contributed to the successes of their respective national teams and continue to inspire the next generation.

Conclusion – The Greatest Women Rugby Players

Summarising this comprehensive analysis, New Zealand’s Portia Woodman is the greatest women rugby player of all time.

Sophie de Goede, Sarah Hunter, and Jessy Tremouliere are also inspirations thanks to their successes on the global stage.

It is worth noting that each player emphasises skill, versatility, leadership, and longevity, and helped shape women’s rugby.

The SB Market Index has balanced their trophies, awards, and influence, as the female game continues its major evolution.