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Another exciting year in rugby has passed and is sure to captivate fans around the world.
The Red Roses won another Six Nations grand slam and the Springboks showed their strength with a Rugby Championship crown, while in the club game Toulouse secured a Top 14 and Champions Cup double.
In sevens, the French men and New Zealand women won gold as all seven qualified for the biggest of stages at Paris 2024.
New stars like Aoife Wafer and Wallace Sititi emerged, while old ones like Courtney Lawes and Portia Woodman-Wickcliffe gave farewells to savour.
The IndependentHarry Latham-Coyle’s rugby correspondent has selected some of the highlights of 2024.
Game of the year
A year full of rugby fun, from England’s coming of age against Ireland through the Red Roses’ glorious Grand Slam triumph in Bordeaux to an action-packed month of November. But my favorite game might have been the Champions Cup final as Toulouse beat Leinster in extra time at Tottenham – a fabulous ground hosting a true nerve-wrecker who pulsated with energy and intensity. Any opportunity to see the remarkable Antoine Dupont in the flesh is an opportunity to savor.
Time of year
Speaking of which… although 15-a-side football has provided many highlights, the success of rugby sevens at Paris 2024 was a big moment for a format facing many questions about its future. While Fiji’s gold medals in Rio and Tokyo were great, it felt like rugby’s true arrival at the Olympics, and Dupont and the rest of the community The triumph of the French team really kicked off the Games with a bang.
Male Player of the Year
Dupont dazzled and Eben Etzebeth continues to reach a high level after 12 years of Test career, but Pieter-Steph du Toit was a more than worthy winner of the World Rugby equivalent award. On the blind side or, when needs require, in the second row, his consistency has been a key factor in another superlative year for the Springboks.
Player of the Year
Ellie Kildunne. To stand out even in a team as talented as England shows just how special a player Kildunne is becoming. Although the 25-year-old’s move to the 7 for the Olympics hasn’t gone as planned, the full-back feels capable of scoring every time she wins the ball. A force for good also off the field.
To watch in 2025 (women)…
Already a titan at seven, how Maddi Levi adapting to the 15-a-side game could be key as the Wallaroos look to go deep at next year’s World Cup. Jo Yapp is one of the sport’s most astute coaches, and utilizing the 22-year-old’s freakish athleticism and other crossover stars could spark rapid improvement for an Australian team that many believe could threaten the best teams next summer. Young player Caitlyn Halse also appears to be a player with vast potential.
To watch in 2025 (men)…
A Lions year will provide plenty of opportunities for some of Britain and Ireland’s brightest youngsters to impress both with Andy Farrell’s tour and with their unions while the big guns are away. It’s hard not to be excited about England’s potential. Asher Opoku-Fordjourconstantly improving and capable of playing both ends at a high level. He is also a confident child.
Men’s Team of the Year
1 Ox Nche, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Thomas du Toit; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 7 Jack Willis, 8 Caelan Doris; 9 Antoine Dupont, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Louis Bielle-Biarrey; 15 Juan Cruz Mallia.
Women’s Team of the Year
1 Hope Rogers, 2 Neve Jones, 3 Maud Muir; 4 Zoe Aldcroft, 5 Laetitia Royer; 6 Sophie de Goede, 7 Aoife Wafer, 8 Alex Matthews; 9 Natasha Hunt, 10 Holly Aitchison; 11 Katelyn Vahaakolo, 12 Tatyana Heard, 13 Meg Jones, 14 Abby Dow; 15Ellie Kildunne.
Coach of the Year
Franco Smith came very close to masterminding a Glasgow URC triumph that few saw coming; The profile of Sean Lynn of Gloucester-Hartpury does not reflect his work as ringmaster of a highly successful circus; and Phil Dowson and Sam Vesty make an exceptional double act in Northampton. But it must be Rassie Erasmuswho cultivated a Springbok team with an air of near-invulnerability while rotating and refreshing his team in a way few coaches can.
The executive blunder of the year
A competitive category. The EPCR’s decision to reject an offer from TNT Sports for the TV rights to the Champions Cup and then accept half of the value from Premier Sports is not very pleasing, while the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Bill Sweeney announce a huge bonus. payments at the same time as recording a record loss is really painful. But the prize goes to an eternal contender: the Welsh Rugby UnionThe mismanagement of the women’s recruitment process is a reflection of an organization that has done more harm than good over the past two years, with so much mismanaged.
Three hopes for 2025
An exciting Lions series. Australia’s recent improvement raises hopes of an exciting tour of the Netherlands, with fans returning in force to add vital color to the concept.
A World Cup that changes perceptions. With interest already at a record level, the 2025 Women’s World Cup could be a transformative tournament for the sport.
Ongoing support for those leaving the game. Some of the most difficult conversations in rugby are had with those who feel let down by a sport they have given so much to. Vital work is already underway in this area and must continue.
