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Latest News
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
1 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fast rugby meets fast 5G as rain sponsors Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

World Rugby welcomes rain as an Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 1 July, 2022
1 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Three
1 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe to keep fans protected as the sun shines on Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe has been appointed as an Official Supplier of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, as momentum continues towards the biggest showcase of the sevens game on the planet.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Thu 23 June, 2022
1 min read
World Rugby logo - one to use for generic releases
1 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Match officials selected for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in South Africa

World Rugby has announced the selection of match officials for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022, which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 9-11 September.

RWC Sevens 2022

Fri 10 June, 2022
1 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Women's
3 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: 100 days to go

As the countdown to RWC Sevens 2022 heads into the final 100 days, we give you the lowdown on the showpiece tournament to get you excited for kick-off in Cape Town.

RWC Sevens 2022

Wed 1 June, 2022
3 min read
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
World Rugby Awards
Friday 10 December, 2021
2 min read

“Lost for words” – World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year award winner Zoe Aldcroft

The formidable Red Roses forward pays tribute to her family for helping her get to the top.
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From making a try-scoring debut for England against France in July 2016, Zoe Aldcroft has never looked back.

Equally comfortable in the second row or on the blindside, the 25-year-old has only ever been on the losing side once in 28 test appearances, highlighting her importance to the team.

That solitary defeat came against New Zealand in 2019 but, for the most part, it is Aldcroft who has come out smiling.

And the other day, she was smiling almost in disbelief after receiving the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year award, in association with Mastercard.

Aldcroft’s name is now etched on the trophy alongside that of England team-mates, Sarah Hunter and Emily Scarratt, as the best women’s player in the world.

“It is absolutely amazing, I cannot put into words how this feels,” she said.

“It’s something I never thought would happen and to be alongside all those names who have won it before is amazing. I have looked up to them myself as role models.

“This is the proudest moment of my career so far.”

She’s a diamond 💎 https://t.co/jZjOen7vOI

— Zoe Aldcroft (@zoealdcroft_) June 22, 2020

Family backing

Like every other player that has got to the top, Yorkshire-born Aldcroft has had to have support along the way, and the 25-year-old used the proudest moment of her career to thank her family.

“Most importantly I’d like to thank my mum and dad, they made all this happen by driving me all around the country to places, supporting me in every way they can,” she said.

“Also, I’d like to thank to my brother Jonathan for helping me with my extra skills, my boyfriend Luke who has supported me over the last few years, my team-mates here at Hartpury-Gloucester, who I love playing with week in week out, and my England team-mates who push me every single time I’m with them.”

Aldcroft started all eight of England’s matches in 2021 as the Red Roses extended their unbeaten run to 18 tests and won a third successive Women’s Six Nations title. 

She signed off the year in style by captaining England for the first time, marking the occasion with a try in an 89-0 win over USA in the last of the November internationals.

But, for her, the best moment of 2021 came at the start of the month. “My highlight of this year was definitely the back-to-back wins against the Black Ferns, it was just amazing to be able to do that and it really has given us a lot of confidence going into next year.”

Read more: “You’re nothing without your team”: World Rugby Coach of the Year Simon Middleton dedicates award to England squad and staff >>

Trending News Show all
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
1 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fast rugby meets fast 5G as rain sponsors Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

World Rugby welcomes rain as an Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 1 July, 2022
1 min read
HSBC London Sevens 2022
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

How the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title race will be decided in Los Angeles

We run through the permutations as four teams prepare for the HSBC LA Sevens with a shot at becoming 2022 Series champions.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fri 1 July, 2022
3 min read
RWC 1995: trophy presentation
2 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Francois Pienaar can’t wait for Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town

The former Springbok captain, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup with South Africa at RWC 1995, is looking forward to welcoming the world's best sevens players to Cape Town in September.

RWC Sevens 2022

Fri 24 June, 2022
2 min read
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
2 min read

Olympic Games

Olympic Day: Countdown to Paris 2024 already under way

On the day that the world gets moving, World Rugby looks at the qualification pathway for the men’s and women’s sevens tournaments at the next Olympic Games.

Olympic Games

Thu 23 June, 2022
2 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Three
1 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe to keep fans protected as the sun shines on Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe has been appointed as an Official Supplier of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, as momentum continues towards the biggest showcase of the sevens game on the planet.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Thu 23 June, 2022
1 min read
HSBC Rugby Sevens Hong Kong - Day 3
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven magnificent moments from the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

Whet your appetite as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series prepares to return to Hong Kong for the first time in more than three years this November.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Wed 22 June, 2022
4 min read
2022 - Brazil win Sudamérica Rugby 7s
2 min read

REGIONAL FOCUS: SOUTH AMERICA

As Yaras continue to dominate in South America

In winning their 20th consecutive Sudamérica Rugby Sevens tournament, Brazil continues to top the regional tables.

REGIONAL FOCUS: SOUTH AMERICA

Thu 16 June, 2022
2 min read
Australia v Fiji 2021 PacificAus Sports Oceania Sevens
2 min read

Oceania Rugby

Oceania Rugby seeks to provide “best preparation possible” for showpiece tournaments through regional competitions

Two regional tournaments will take place in Auckland in June and July to help teams prepare for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022, the Commonwealth Games 2022 and Rugby World Cup 2021.

Oceania Rugby

Thu 9 June, 2022
2 min read
Rob Vickerman Karl Tenana
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Rob Vickerman: Olympic qualification means “every second counts” in new World Series format

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series commentator is already relishing what 2023 has to offer after a new blockbuster schedule was revealed on Tuesday, 31 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 2 June, 2022
3 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Women's
3 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: 100 days to go

As the countdown to RWC Sevens 2022 heads into the final 100 days, we give you the lowdown on the showpiece tournament to get you excited for kick-off in Cape Town.

RWC Sevens 2022

Wed 1 June, 2022
3 min read
Global Partners
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