Pauline Barrat, 21, carried the ball 63 times in five weeks and beat defenders like she'd been playing international rugby for years—but the France winger was only just starting. Across the Women's Six Nations, a continent's best rugby players assembled into a championship team that tells the story of who truly dominated the spring tournament, and it wasn't one nation alone.
The team of the championship reflects what unfolded on the pitch: England's Grand Slam-winning squad claimed four spots, proof that their dominance ran deep. But France, who pushed England hard throughout, earned five places. Italy, Ireland, and Wales each contributed their standout performers. What emerges is a picture of rugby excellence scattered across Europe, with some players so exceptional they became impossible to overlook.
Meg Jones captained England to their Grand Slam and missed not a single minute of play, leading from the centre where she tallied seven try involvements—three tries of her own, four assists. Her influence rippled through the statistics: top-ranking centre for carries (56), metres gained (285), defenders beaten (21), line breaks (nine) and line break assists (nine). Yet it was Zoe Harrison, England's fly-half, whose tactical brilliance orchestrated the Red Roses' attack. She achieved 100% passing accuracy while recording the most line break assists of any 10 in the championship (eight). Her kicking was almost otherworldly: she landed 29 of 31 attempts—a 94% success rate that exceeded what statistical models would predict. According to Opta's expected goals kicked model, the average goal-kicker would have made only 65% of those same shots.
England's forward pack provided the foundation. Amy Cokayne, the hooker, threw with 98% accuracy from the line-out—47 successful finds from 48 throws—while scoring six tries herself. Sarah Bern, the tighthead prop, was virtually unstoppable near the try line, crashing over five times and winning 25 of 25 scrums without giving up a penalty against the head.
France's contributions came across the park. Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 30, was involved in nine tries—six assists and three tries—the direct involvement total of any player in the tournament, with her six assists alone being a championship high. Barrat, the uncapped 21-year-old, ranked second for metres gained (523) and joint second for defenders beaten (23), while her 12 line break assists were unique in double figures and she added four try assists besides. Ambre Mwayembe, the loosehead prop, gained the most metres of any front-row forward (141) and recorded the best dominant carry rate (51%).
Valeria Fedrighi represented Italy with distinction, making 63 tackles—more than any Italian teammate—and reaching 105 rucks. Francesca Sgorbini, also Italian, made 64 carries, the fourth most in the entire championship, and crossed the line three times. For Ireland, Erin King earned selection at blindside flanker, while Courtney Keight of Wales demonstrated why she belonged, gaining 131 metres-in-contact—the most of any back—and dominating defence with five dominant tackles.
The team of the championship ultimately celebrates not national loyalty but individual excellence. These 15 players, drawn across five nations, performed at a level that transcended borders. Their performances will define how this Six Nations is remembered—not as a tournament won by one team, but as a celebration of rugby's depth across Europe.