Picking the Greatest England Women's XV of All Time ahead of 2025 W6N Grand Slam decider
Today at 08:22 AM
This weekend brings around the dramatic conclusion to the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, with England and France once again set to battle it out to be crowned champions. England are chasing their seventh consecutive title, and welcome Les Bleus to the Allianz Stadium for a Grand Slam decider of epic proportions.
The Red Roses made their mission statement very clear, from when head coach John Mitchell appointed Zoe Aldcroft as the new captain back in January. England are out to win their home hosted 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and taking the Six Nations crown will be an excellent way to stamp their authority as front runners for the tournament that kicks off on August 22nd.
England are rivaled by the Black Ferns of New Zealand, as the greatest side in Women’s Rugby history. The Red Roses have won the Women’s Six Nations on 20 of the tournaments previous 29 iterations, are the only team to win WXV1 since the inaurgual tournament in 2023, and are two-time world champions following Women’s Rugby World Cup glory in 1994 and 2014. Throw in five European championships into the mix and there are few sides that rival the decorated lineage of the Red Roses.
With such a well-stocked trophy cabinet, England have been led by some of the all time greats. In this article, we have pieced together an Ultimate XV of Red Roses past and present to build the a team that boasts the best of the best. With a landmark year ahead and a milestone Six Nations Grand Slam decider just around the corner, here is RUCK’s Ultimate XV: Red Roses Edition.
OUTSIDE BACKS
15. Danielle ‘Nolli’ Watermann
At fullback, few have worn the England shirt with the flair and impact of Danielle "Nolli" Watermann. Bursting onto the scene in 2003, Watermann brought a devastating combination of pace, power, and vision that made her a constant threat from the backfield. With 82 caps to her name – 10th on England's all-time list Watermann finished her career as one of the most prolific attacking players the Red Roses have ever seen.
Waterman’s 47 tries place her fourth in England women’s history, and her 235 points rank seventh overall, a testament to her consistency over more than a decade at the top. A stalwart for Wasps and Bristol at club level, she also represented England on the Sevens circuit from 2009 to 2016 and was part of Team GB's squad at the Rio Olympics. Her crowning Red Roses moment came in the 2014 World Cup final, where she crossed the line against Canada to help secure England's first World title in 20 years.
14. Sue Day
Sue Day was the kind of player who could slot into any position in the backline and still be the deadliest on the pitch. Whether she was flying down the wing, slotting in at fullback, or punching holes in the midfield, Day had a knack for finding the try line like no one else in an England shirt. Her record 61 international tries still stands untouched, a stunning marker of her finishing instincts and timing.
Add in 305 career points, good enough for third on the all-time list, and you get a sense of just how central she was to England's attacking threat during her career. A one-club stalwart for Wasps from 1996 until her retirement in 2010, Day was also a pioneer off the field, becoming the first woman to be elected President of the RFU. But it's her on-pitch legacy; versatility, leadership, and an uncanny eye for the try line, that earns her a nailed-on place in any Ultimate England XV.
11. Jess Breach
While Kat Merchant and Lydia Thompson both deserve serious credit for their impact on the wing, Jess Breach's blistering rise earns her the No. 11 shirt in this Dream XV. Still only 27, Breach is already nipping at their heels on the all-time try scoring leader-board, sitting just five tries behind them and closing fast.
Known for her electric pace and ruthless finishing, she exploded onto the international scene in 2017 with six tries on debut against Canada, immediately announcing herself as a generational talent. Since then, Breach become a mainstay in the Red Roses' back three and with time very much on her side, Breach is not just one of England's best wings now, she’s on track to be one of the greatest to ever wear the rose.
CENTRES
13. Emily Scarratt
Emily Scarratt isn't just a centre, she's the cornerstone of modern English women's rugby. With 749 points to her name, she holds the all-time points scoring record for England, a staggering feat made even more impressive by the fact she achieved it while consistently playing in the midfield rather than as a primary kicker. Her 117 caps place her fifth on the all-time list and make her the most capped active player in the 2025 Women's Six Nations squad, a testament to both her durability and elite consistency.
Scarratt’s blend of calm leadership, razor-sharp decision-making, and clutch performances has been central to England's success over the past decade, with winners medals from eight Women’s Six Nations and the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup. She was named World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year in 2019, underlining her status as a global standout and the heartbeat of the Red Roses back-line. One third of the ‘Good, Scaz & the Rugby’ podcast, Scarratt’s name will remain within the discussion long after the Loughborough star decides to hang up the boots.
12. Rachel Burford
Rachael Burford was the glue in England's midfield for over a decade, earning 84 caps (ninth most overall) and a reputation as one of the most composed and technically gifted inside centres in the game. Burford retired in 2024 with Harlequins, the club she lifted the Premier 15s title with in 2021, Burford’s intelligent distribution, defensive grit, and calm under pressure made her the perfect foil to mesh with explosive outside backs.
Burford was part of the squad that lifted the 2014 Rugby World Cup, a crowning achievement in a career that also included multiple Six Nations titles and Grand Slams. But it's her leadership, game IQ, and silverware-laden CV that earn her a well-deserved place in this all-time XV. Following her retirement, the Army Rugby Union announced Rachael Burford as a Non-Executive Director to the ARU Management Board, with Burford also joining the panel upon the Rugby Players Association.
HALFBACKS
10. Katy Daly-McLean
Katy Daly-McLean was the general every great team needs; sharp, composed, and lethal off the tee. With 116 caps, she stands as the third most capped England women’s player and trails only Emily Scarratt in the all-time points tally, having racked up an incredible 542 points. Her kicking game, both tactically and from the tee, was a cornerstone of England's success for over a decade. Daly-McLean orchestrated play from fly-half with a cool head and a rugby brain that always seemed two phases ahead.
A key figure in England's 2014 World Cup-winning side, she steered the team to glory with a captain's poise, and later represented Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympics, finishing just shy of a medal in fourth place. Across club stints with DMP Sharks, Loughborough Lightning, and Sale Sharks Women, she brought class and leadership wherever she went. Now an match day pundit on TV and with the ‘Good, Scaz & Rugby’ podcast, KDM is sharing her expertise on a global scale. Few have controlled a game quite like Daly-McLean, and her spot in this all-time XV is as assured as one of her trademark touch-finders.
9. Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt
There's never been a No. 9 quite like Natasha "Mo" Hunt, electric around the breakdown, endlessly energetic, and a born competitor. With 76 caps and counting, Hunt has been a key figure for England for over a decade, combining sharp service with a sniping running game that constantly keeps defences guessing. Her international CV is stacked: a 2014 World Cup winner, part of the 2012 Six Nations Grand Slam squad, and a Sevens specialist who brought home bronze with Team GB at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
At club level, she's become a serial winner with Gloucester-Hartpury, helping them to back-to-back Premiership Women’s Rugby titles in 2024 and 2025, following up her Allianz Premier 15s triumph in 2022/23. Hunt's ability to shift tempo, read the game, and lead from the base of the ruck makes her not just a top-tier scrum-half, but the heartbeat of any team she’s part of.
FRONT ROW
1. Rocky Clark
If there's a single player who embodies sheer grit, longevity, and front-row ferocity, it's Rochelle "Rocky" Clark. With 137 caps to her name, Clark held the title of England's most capped international—across both men and women—after overtaking Jason Leonard's long-standing men's record of 114. That historic milestone stood until Sarah Hunter claimed her 138th cap at the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup, but Clark's impact remains monumental.
As a rock-solid loosehead prop, she anchored the England scrum with relentless physicality and quiet authority, earning her place as a foundational piece of the Red Roses' forward dominance. Her club career saw her turn out for Saracens, Wasps, and Worcester Valkyries, always bringing leadership and drive wherever she played. A 2014 World Cup winner and an enduring inspiration, Clark retired in 2018, leaving behind a legacy built on hard yards, hard hits, and an unrivalled commitment to the shirt.
2. Amy Garnett
Amy Garnett was the heartbeat of England's front row for over a decade, and her legacy is one of unshakable consistency and trailblazing achievement. As the first England women’s player to earn 100 caps, she hit that century mark in 2011 against Canada, becoming only the third woman in world rugby to do so at the time. She remains England's most capped hooker and one of the Red Roses' most respected figures, retiring with 100 caps after making her debut back in 2000 against Spain.
A fierce competitor and tireless worker in the engine room, Garnett anchored the set piece in three consecutive Rugby World Cup finals (2002, 2006, 2010), with England falling agonisingly short each time against New Zealand. At club level, she was a true one-club legend for Saracens Women, joining in 2002 and captaining the side to back-to-back Premiership titles and a Premiership Cup win in 2008. Garnett’s influence as a leader, pioneer, and iron-willed competitor is woven deeply into the fabric of the Red Roses' history, and was carried into her role as a coach of the Exeter Chiefs Women’s team.
3. Sarah Bern
At just 27 years old with 66 caps already under her belt, Sarah Bern is on a trajectory that could one day see her rival Rocky Clark's legendary status in the England front row. Widely regarded as the best tighthead prop in the women's game today, Bern combines raw power with explosive athleticism and a dynamic ball-carrying ability rarely seen in a front-rower.
Bern made her mark early, as she selected for the 2017 World Cup squad as its youngest member at just 20, she announced herself on the world stage with a match-winning try and Player of the Match honours in the semi-final against France. Since then, she's become a cornerstone of the Red Roses pack, featuring again in the delayed 2021 World Cup and most recently called up for the 2025 Six Nations. A former Gloucester-Hartpury standout now bringing her dominance to Bristol Bears, Bern is far from finished, but she’s already earned her place among England's elite.
LOCKS
4. Tamara Taylor
Tamara Taylor was the model of consistency and composure in the second row, racking up 115 caps to become the fourth most capped Red Rose of all time. A towering presence in every sense, Taylor was a mainstay in England's engine room across four World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, and 2017), claiming the ultimate prize in 2014.
Her leadership credentials were just as impressive as her on-field presence: she captained England during the 2015 Six Nations and was named the RPA Player of the Year in 2017, when she was still one of only three England women to have broken the 100-cap mark. Most of her career was spent with DMP Sharks, where she became a club icon, before bringing her experience to Saracens between 2020 and 2023. A smart, durable, and endlessly reliable lock, Taylor was the kind of player every team needs, and every opponent dreads.
5. Zoe Aldcroft
Zoe Aldcroft may still be in the early chapters of her international career, but she's already writing herself into Red Roses legend. Appointed England captain on her 25th birthday in January 2025, Aldcroft stepped into the role with the same quiet authority and relentless work ethic that's defined her play since her debut in 2016. Fittingly, that debut came with a match-winning try in the dying minutes against France—an early glimpse of her knack for clutch moments.
With 58 caps and counting, she's already amassed a remarkable résumé: part of the 2017 World Cup squad, 2020 RPA Telegraph Women's Sport Player of the Year, and crowned World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year in 2021. At club level, she captains Gloucester-Hartpury and has led them to an unprecedented three-peat of Premier 15s and PWR titles. Smart in the lineout, dominant in the loose, and composed under pressure, Aldcroft is the heartbeat of the new-era Red Roses—and a natural pick in this all-time XV.
BACK ROW
6. Marlie Packer
Marlie Packer is a name synonymous with tenacity, leadership, and an eye for the try line that defies expectations for a back-row forward. With 110 caps and counting, she is the 6th most capped player in England’s history, and her 50 tries make her the top try-scoring forward in Red Roses history—an extraordinary feat that sees her sit fourth on the overall try-scoring list.
Packer’s skill set goes far beyond her try-scoring tally, though; she's a relentless carrier, a formidable tackler, and a natural leader. Having co-captained with Sarah Hunter, she took full reign as England captain following Hunter's retirement, guiding the team to back-to-back WXV1 titles. Her leadership and dynamic play were also recognised in 2024 when she was named Women’s Player of the Year.
A 2014 World Cup winner and a finalist in 2017, Packer's remarkable consistency and influence on the pitch have made her one of the most impactful players in England's history. Her combination of power, precision, and passion make her an irreplaceable figure in this Dream XV.
7. Helen Clayton
Helen Clayton was a true pioneer for women's rugby, with an 87-cap international career that spanned from 1994 to 2006. As the eighth most capped player in England’s history, she played a crucial role in shaping the early years of the Red Roses’ success. Clayton represented England at the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup, but it was her influence in the build-up to that tournament that truly set her apart. A key figure in multiple Women's Five Nations Home Championship victories, she was also instrumental in securing two Six Nations titles in 2003 and 2006.
In 1996, she helped England lift the European Championship, cementing her place as one of the standout players of an early generation of the Red Roses. Although she retired after the 2006 World Cup, Clayton's contributions remain foundational to the growth of women's rugby in England, a trailblazer whose legacy paved the way for the sport’s modern-day stars.
8. Sarah Hunter
Sarah Hunter is widely regarded as the greatest women's rugby player of all time, and with 141 caps, she stands as the most capped Red Rose in history, surpassing Rocky Clark at the 2021 Rugby World Cup. Her career, which began in 2007, saw her transform from a centre prospect to a back-row powerhouse after England coach Phil Forsyth moved her to the forwards during Under-19 trials.
Hunter's leadership was key to England's success, notably captaining the team to victory in the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup. Her 100th cap came in the semi-final of the 2017 World Cup, cementing her place as a key figure in the team's legacy. After retiring following the opening round of the 2023 Women's Six Nations, Hunter's legacy lives on as a coach in John Mitchell's England Women's staff, shaping the next generation of Red Roses. A former player for Lichfield Ladies, Bristol Ladies, and Loughborough Lightning, Hunter's influence stretches far beyond the pitch, earning her the GOAT status that defines her remarkable journey.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Amy Cokayne
17. Hannah Botterman
18. Sophie Hemming
19. Joanna McGilchrist
20. Maggie Alphonsi
21. Emma Mitchell
22. Helena Rowland
23. Ellie Kildunne
EDITORS PICKS:
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- Another England star wants to swap nations following Steve Borthwick snub
- Andy Farrell Breaks Silence on Possibly Becoming England Boss
- "World class player" – Wallabies centre confirms move to the Premiership
- Statement: England international to depart Leicester Tigers
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