The 2026 Women's Six Nations tournament showcased some exceptional talent, and Opta's team of the tournament reflects that. Here's a breakdown of the players who stood out, with a healthy dose of personal commentary and analysis.
Ambre Mwayembe (France) - The Forward Powerhouse: Mwayembe's impact is undeniable. She gained the most metres (141), recorded the best dominant carry rate (51%), made more offloads (four) and produced more dominant tackles (six) than any other front-row forward. This is a player who commands respect and is a force to be reckoned with. What's fascinating is how she seamlessly transitions from attack to defence, showcasing a rare blend of power and agility.
Amy Cokayne (England) - The Try-Scoring Machine: Cokayne's try in the Grand Slam decider in Bordeaux was her sixth of the tournament, with only Marlie Packer (seven) managing to score more. She recorded a near-perfect rate at the line-out too, finding a team-mate from 47 of her 48 throws - her 98% success rate the best of any hooker in the championship. Her ability to score tries consistently, coupled with her line-out prowess, makes her a cornerstone of any team.
Sarah Bern (England) - The Short-Range Dominator: Bern's performance was virtually unstoppable from short range. She crashed over for five tries, including her side's opening try against France in the decider. Her strength at the set-piece is also noteworthy, as she was involved in more scrums without losing one against the head (25/25), with England winning six penalties on their own feed with Bern in the front row. Bern's ability to dominate close-quarters rugby is a testament to her skill and determination.
Valeria Fedrighi (Italy) - The Exciting Brand of Rugby: Fedrighi had a fine campaign, making more tackles than any of her team-mates (63) as well as being the only Italian to hit 100+ rucks (105). Italy played an exciting brand of rugby with forwards and backs keeping the attacks flowing - Fedrighi exemplified that with her 24 passes this year, more than any other lock. Her versatility and passing ability make her a key player in Italy's success.
Madoussou Fall Raclot (France) - The Impactful Forward: Fall Raclot made the most carries of any French forward (62) and made a huge impact when she ran with the ball, gaining 159 metres-in-contact - only Aoife Wafer gained more (174). She was equally as punchy in defence, her nine dominant tackles being more than any other player. Her ability to make an impact both in attack and defence is a rare quality.
Francesca Sgorbini (Italy) - The Go-To Player: Sgorbini was one of the go-to players for the Azzurre, making more carries than any other Italian and the fourth most overall (64), also ranking fourth for metres-in-contact (130) and crossing the tryline on three occasions. Sgorbini had a big impact in defence too, with only Erin King (seven) winning more than her four turnovers. Her consistency and impact in both attack and defence make her a valuable asset.
Erin King (Ireland) - The Unseen Workhorse: It takes something special to keep top try-scorer Marlie Packer out of this XV, but King is truly deserving on account of the mountain of "unseen" work she got through. The 22-year-old hit the most attacking rucks (188) and defensive rucks (72) of any player, with her seven jackal turnovers being almost twice as many as any rival. Her total of 77 tackles was second only to Wales' Bethan Lewis (78), while she also made 47 carries. In total, that meant she recorded a combined 384 carries, tackles, and rucks - over 100 more than anyone else. King's dedication and work ethic are an inspiration to all.
Aoife Wafer (Ireland) - The Versatile Forward: It is hard to believe Wafer is still only 23 given the impact she has had in a few short years. She was the Opta Index's top-ranked forward and topped the charts for carries (79) and metres-in-contact (174) this campaign, as well as gaining the most metres (418) and making the most offloads (eight) of any forward. She crossed the tryline five times but her impact was not limited to attack. In defence, she ranked in the top 10 players for tackles, dominant tackles, and turnovers won. Wafer's versatility and impact in both attack and defence make her a true all-rounder.
In my opinion, this team showcases the depth of talent in women's rugby. Each player brings something unique to the table, and their collective performance is a testament to the sport's growth and development. What's fascinating is how these players continue to push the boundaries of what's possible, inspiring a new generation of athletes.
