A captivating year of rugby saw plenty of storylines across the sport, including the thrilling sevens tournaments at the Paris Olympics
Another thrilling year in rugby has come and gone with plenty to captivate supporters around the world.
The Red Roses romped to another Six Nations grand slam and the Springboks showcased their strength with a Rugby Championship crown, while in the club game, Toulouse secured a Top 14 and Champions Cup double.
In sevens, France’s men and New Zealand’s women won gold as sevens stepped up to the grandest of stages at Paris 2024.
New stars like Aoife Wafer and Wallace Sititi came to the fore, while old hands including Courtney Lawes and Portia Woodman-Wickcliffe were given farewells to savour.
A year full of rugby treats, from England’s coming of age against Ireland through the Red Roses glorious grand slam-securing triumph in Bordeaux right through to an action-packed November. My favourite game, though, might have been the Champions Cup final as Toulouse edged Leinster in extra time at Tottenham – a fabulous ground playing host to a proper nerve-shredder that pulsated with energy and intensity. Any opportunity to see the remarkable Antoine Dupont in the flesh is one to be relished.
One to watch in 2025 (men)…
A Lions year will provide plenty of opportunities for some of Britain and Ireland’s brightest young things to impress both with Andy Farrell’s touring party and with their unions while the big guns are away. It’s hard not to be excited about the potential of England’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour, improving all the time and capable of playing both sides at a high level. He’s a confident kid, too.
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.
Coach of the year
Franco Smith comes very close for masterminding a Glasgow URC triumph that few saw coming; Gloucester-Hartpury’s Sean Lynn’s profile fails to reflect his work as ringmaster of a most successful circus; and Phil Dowson and Sam Vesty are an outstanding double act at Northampton. But it has to be Rassie Erasmus, who has cultivated a Springboks side with an air of near invulnerability while also rotating and refreshing his squad in a way few coaches can.
Executive bungle of the year
A competitive category. EPCR’s decision to turn down a reported bid from TNT Sports for the TV rights to the Champions Cup and then accept one of half the value from Premier Sports is not a great look, while the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Bill Sweeney announcing huge bonus payments at the same time as recording a record loss really does rankle. But the award goes to a perennial contender: the Welsh Rugby Union’s mismanagement of the women’s contracting process was reflective of an organisation that has done more harm than good over the last two years, with so much poorly handled.
Three hopes for 2025
A thrilling Lions series. Australia’s recent improvement offers hope of a captivating tour Down Under, with fans back in full force to add vital colour to the concept.
A perception-changing World Cup. Already with record-breaking levels of interest shown, the 2025 Women’s World Cup could be a transformative tournament for the sport.
Continued support for those leaving the game. Some of the toughest conversations in rugby are with those who have felt let down by a sport they gave so much to. Vital work is already being done in this area and must go on.
