Two French women, scrum half Pauline Bourdon Sansus and center Gabrielle Vernier, appear in the world standard team of the year 2023 unveiled on Saturday by World Rugby at the end of the new WXV international tournament.
England flanker Marlie Packer was named world player of the year minutes after winning the inaugural WXV with a 33-12 victory over hosts New Zealand.
England, which also won the last Six Nations Tournament, places seven players in the 2023 world XV alongside six New Zealanders and the two Blues.
The young New Zealand winger Katelyn Vahaakolo (23 years old) was also voted world revelation of the year and the best try of the year went to the Italian Sofia Stefan.
His compatriot Ardie Savea inherited the title of world player of the year last week the day after the All Blacks’ defeat against South Africa (12-11) in the World Cup final.
The French women’s XV finished on Saturday in fifth and penultimate place in the WXV after conceding against Canada (29-20) a second defeat in three matches.