October 19, 2006

England and Saracens flanker Margaret Alphonsi has been short-listed for the Women’s Rugby Personality of the Year award at this year’s International Rugby Board’s Awards, in association with Emirates Airline.

Alphonsi is up against New Zealand fly-half Anna Richards and France number eight Delphine Plantet for the prestigious prize which is being held this year at the historic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the heart of Glasgow, Scotland on November 26.

Alphonsi, who played in all of England’s five IRB Rugby World Cup games this September in Edmonton Canada including the 25-17 defeat to New Zealand in the final, said: “I am so pleased to be nominated. To be put in the same category as both Anna and Delphine is a great honor. Anna had a fantastic world cup and she is certainly one of the main reasons why we didn’t win the final, while Delphine was one of France’s key and most consistent performers during the tournament and certainly a very tough player to front up against.

“Personally for me the world cup was one of my playing career highlights, even though we didn’t win. The standard of rugby throughout the three weeks was impressive and as a whole I think the tournament went along way to raising the profile of our sport.”

The shortlist was selected by the coaches from each of the participating teams at the Rugby World Cup.
Previous award winners include England fly-half Shelley Rae, New Zealand Black Ferns captain Farah Palmer and the world’s most capped women’s player Donna Kennedy.

The Women’s Personality of the Year is one of 12 categories of awards that include the IRB Player of the Year, IRB Coach of the Year and IRB Team of the Year. The event also recognises Age Grade Rugby and there is a special Spirit of Rugby award which honours outstanding contribution to the Game.

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