England’s Kildunne and Matthews Shortlisted for World Rugby Award

England’s Ellie Kildunne, who holds 48 Test caps, and Alex Matthews, with 72 Test caps, have been named on the shortlist for the World Rugby women’s 15s Player of the Year award. Full-back Kildunne and back-rower Matthews were instrumental in the Red Roses’ achievements, securing both the Grand Slam and the WXV1 title. The four-person shortlist for this accolade also features Canada centre Alex Tessier and France scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus. For the men’s 15s Player of the Year award, Ireland’s number eight Caelan Doris is a nominee, competing with South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Cheslin Kolbe. England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ireland centre Jamie Osborne are contenders for the men’s Breakthrough Player of the Year, while England back row Maddie Feaunati is nominated in the women’s equivalent category. France captain Antoine Dupont is a nominee for the men’s Sevens Player of the Year award, following his transition to the shorter format and his pivotal performance in the host nation’s Olympic gold medal victory at the Paris 2024 Games. He is shortlisted alongside his compatriot Aaron Grandidier Nkanang and Ireland’s Terry Kennedy. The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held on Sunday in Monaco. Men’s 15s Player of the Year Caelan Doris (Ireland) Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa) Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) Women’s 15s Player of the Year Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France) Ellie Kildunne (England) Alex Matthews (England) Alex Tessier (Canada) Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa) Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) Jamie Osborne (Ireland) Wallace Sititi (New Zealand) Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year Caitlyn Halse (Australia) Maddie Feaunati (England) Erin King (Ireland) Hannah King (New Zealand) Men’s 15s Try of the Year James Lowe (Ireland v England, Six Nations, 10 March) Lorenzo Pani (Italy v Wales, Six Nations, 17 March) Nolann Le Garrec (France v England, Six Nations, 17 March) Akaki Tabutsadze (Georgia v Australia, 20 July) Women’s 15s Try of the Year Alyssa D’Inca (Italy v Scotland, Women’s Six Nations, 20 April) Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand v Australia, Pacific Four Series, 25 May) Maya Stewart (Australia v Wales, WXV, 28 September) Marine Menager (France v Canada, WXV, 29 September) Men’s Sevens Player of the Year Antoine Dupont (France) Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (France) Terry Kennedy (Ireland) Women’s Sevens Player of the Year Michaela Blyde (New Zealand) Maddison Levi (Australia) Jorja Miller (New Zealand)