The Best Up-and-coming British & Irish Women’s Rugby Players
Who are the next rising stars of the Women’s game?
Women’s rugby has been going through a period of transformation over the last few years. Unlike their counterparts in the men’s teams, the women’s players have only recently been offered professional contracts to allow them to play rugby full time. This may have been sparked by reports of rugby being one of the fastest growing women’s sports, but since 2019, when England offered their first set of central contracts, other nations have started following suit with Ireland and Italy the latest nations to offer their women’s players full time central contracts.
This now offers genuine prospects for young up-and-coming talent in the women’s game. There is real opportunity for an aspiring professional rugby player to play the sport they love full time for their nation.
We recently brought you our Top 3 Women’s rugby players in the game right now, and now we focus on the next generation. We select a handful of up-and-coming British & Irish Women’s rugby players and tell you why you should look out for them in future world cups and the years beyond.
Who are the next rising stars in British and Irish Women’s rugby?
Sadia Kabeya // England, Loughborough Lightning // 20 years old
Sadia has represented England through the age grade levels after having an unexpected talent found as a 12-year-old. She was put onto a rugby pitch to make up numbers for her school and her natural athletic prowess soon took over. The openside flanker has developed a physically imposing style of play that could be compared to Red Rose’s legend Maggie Alphonsi. Already with 4 England caps, Kabeya will be looking to cement herself as not only Englands best openside flanker but one of the worlds best. Her most recent recognition coming as being named as the RPA Allianz Premier 15s player of the year in 2022. The fact that she is still only 20 years old and still has potential to grow shows that she is one of the top prospects coming from the British Isles.
Sisilia Tuipulotu // Wales, Gloucester Hartbury // 19 years old
Sisilia has already been capped by Wales at a young age and has been offered a central contract. Bearing in mind that she only touched a rugby ball for the first time at the age of 16, she is bringing raw, fresh talent that will only grow with professional coaching. Sisilia isn’t completely new to rugby though, being the daughter of Sione Tuipulotu, the versatile back who was capped by Tonga 29 times. The Tuipulotu family are friends with the Faletau and Vunipola families that rugby fans are very familiar with.
Playing in Second Row and still developing her game physically and mentally, head coach Ioan Cunningham said that her impact on the Welsh women’s rugby team could be “massive” and that her potential is “off the scale”. You are also able to keep up with Sisilia as she regularly updates her TikTok page with new content and is clearly not shy of the limelight. Preparing herself for potentially being one the biggest names in women’s rugby in the years ahead.
Emma Orr // Scotland, Biggar RFC // 19 years old
After breaking into the Scotland side for the TikTok Women’s Six Nations, Orr was one of the few glimpses of hope for the winless Scottish side. Celebrating her 19th birthday halfway through the tournament and putting in performances that defied her age. Playing as a centre she has a great set of skills gained in representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in the rugby 7s with an excellent balance of speed, stamina, handling and defensive fundamentals. Her ability to distribute the ball is what has helped Emma put her hand up for selection for the national team in the 15 a side team too.
Dannah O’Brien // Ireland, Old Belvedere // 19 years old
Ireland is the latest, and last, of the home nations to offer central contracts enabling a wave of young women’s rugby talent coming through the system. O’Brien’s composure and kicking ability sets her apart from that wave. The Irish Women’s side has long been searching for a reliable goal kicker and fit for the Fly-Half position. She has the enviable ability of tactically kicking with a smart left boot to ease pressure for Irish team as well as being able to capitalise on scoring chances. It isn’t just her boot that gets her praise, she is also incredible at distributing the ball to the backs providing a key link between forwards and backs.
O’Brien is topping the scoring charts in the Energia AIL (All Ireland League) Women’s division and guiding her team Old Belvedere to the top of the league so far this season. Irish Fly-Halves are often revered on the emerald coast, the men’s side have been graced with some of the sports best. Dannah may now begin flying the flag for Ireland in the Women’s game too.
Morwenna Talling // England, Loughborough Lightning // 20 years old
The delay to the World Cup wasn’t ideal for most involved, however for Morwenna it was actually a blessing in disguise. The power flanker was ruled out originally with an ACL injury but with the tournament being pushed back a year it gave Talling the chance to recover and be selected in New Zealand. She has been known about amongst the England Women’s game for some time, having made her Premier 15s debut at the age of 17 and excelling ever since. Looking to play alongside her club and nation teammate Sadia Kebaya, the duo pose an incredible future for England for many years ahead.
Words // David Jones
