Allianz PWR Young player of the season and team of the season
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Gloucester-Hartpury prospect Steph Else has been named the Allianz PWR Young Player of the Season following her impressive campaign for the title-winning Cherry & Whites.
The versatile forward, 20, has been a consistently strong performer in Gloucester's successful title defence and has captained England at Under-20 level.
Her performances have been enough to earn an England transition contract as well as picking up the coveted Young Player of the Season prize.
Every club DoR/Head Coach, alongside the RFU's Head of Women's Performance, Charlie Hayter were invited to vote for the award, with four players recognised for their stellar seasons as runners-up.
They are Loughborough Lightning's Sadia Kabeya, Bristol Bears' Reneeqa Bonner, Else's Gloucester-Hartpury teammate Georgia Brock and Exeter Chiefs' Maisy Allen.
In a dream team fit to rule the rugby world, here is your PWR Team of the Season for the 2023/24 campaign.
1. Hope Rodgers, Exeter Chiefs
Whether it was going forward or holding the fort, Hope Rogers was a machine this season.
She scored the joint-most tries of any prop this season, and was one of just two players overall to average more than 2.5 dominant tackles per game in the league this term.
2. May Campbell, Saracens
A pivotal part of Saracens front line, players didn’t want to be heading in May Campbell’s direction when holding the ball.
She was the only player to win more than 20 turnovers this term (21) and hit the joint-most defensive rucks of any player in the league this term (114).
3. DaLeaka Menin, Exeter Chiefs
Forming a formidable prop partnership with Rodgers, DaLeaka Menin was constantly in the tackle this season, having the highest tackles success rate of any player in her position.
She also had the joint-most line breaks (5) and beat the third-most defenders (22) of any prop this term.
4. Sarah Beckett, Gloucester-Hartpury
Sarah Beckett was crucial in Gloucester-Hartpury’s retention of their PWR crown this season.
Making the second most carries of any player, she was also one of just five forwards to score 10 or more tries. A force moving forward.
5. Abbie Ward, Bristol Bears
Abbie Ward was not to be messed with this season, helping force Bears to a first league final in the club’s history.
She claimed 67 lineout takes, more than any other lock, while also amassing 11 steals - again the most of any in her position.
6. Sophie de Goede, Saracens
Canadian international Sophie de Goede could not be stopped for Sarries, with the flanker the only forward to beat over 50 defenders this season.
She was incredibly dominant both going forward and in defence, finishing as the fourth-top point scorer thanks to eight tries and 23 conversions.
7. Marlie Packer, Saracens
England captain Marlie Packer didn’t let up her performances in light of a stellar year with the Red Roses.
She was the only player to score over ten tries while playing in the back row, while also hitting the joint most defensive rucks of any player.
8. Alex Matthews, Gloucester-Hartpury
Another irreplaceable cog in the Gloucester machine, Matthews more than played her part in shooting her side not just to the top of the table, but to the trophy itself.
Matthews crossed the gainline from 82% of her carries this term, at least nine percentage points more than any other forward to make 60+ carries in the league this term.
9. Natasha Hunt, Gloucester-Hartpury
There weren’t many, if any, more prolific going forward than Natasha Hunt this season.
Turning provider for 19 tries this season, the most assists of any player, she also scored five tries herself, with her tally of 24 try involvements being seven more than anyone else.
10. Alex Tessier, Exeter Chiefs
With pin-point precision from the tee, Alex Tessier more than deserves her place as this season’s best fly-half.
She made the most kicks in play of any player this season (141), while also gaining the most kicking metres in the process (4415).
She also registered 17 try involvements this campaign - the second most of any player - bagging two tries and 15 assists.
11. Abby Dow, Ealing Trailfinders
Ealing Trailfinders had an absolute gem at their disposal for their maiden PWR campaign.
As their main source of points, Abby Dow was the top try-scoring back this season, scoring 13 and while also assisting three.
12. Amber Reed, Bristol Bears
Fighting hard in and out of possession, Bristol Bears couldn’t have reached their first ever league final without Amber Reed.
She won the most turnovers, (17) made the most offloads (22) and hit the most rucks (251) of any back this season.
13. Megan Jones, Leicester Tigers
A valuable source of creation for Tigers, Megan Jones directly assisted more tries than any other centre this season.
She was also the only centre to evade over half the tackles she faced in the league this term, weaving away from challenges left and right.
14. Mia Venner, Gloucester-Hartpury
Venner was another key member of Gloucester’s incredible run that led them to triumph at Sandy Park this season.
Line breaks is where she stood out on the wing, averaging 2.5 per 80 minutes this term’s - the highest rate among all 265 players to feature for 160+ minutes in the league.
15. Ellie Kildunne, Harlequins
Star full back Ellie Kildunne could not be touched by her PWR opposition this campaign.
She averaged the most defenders beaten (6.9) and the most carry metres (141) per 80 minutes of any player, while also having the highest tackle evasion rate of any player to face 50+ tackles this campaign.
