The Munster star has been superb all year and is unfortunate not to be in the running for the Player of the Year award, won by a South African
Tadhg Beirne is the only Irish player to make the cut for World Rugby men’s Team of the Year for 2026. The Munster man has been superb all season and is perhaps unfortunate not to be in the running for the individual player of the year award.
That honour is claimed by South African hooker Malcolm Marx, with the Springboks having six representatives on the XV of the year. There are two each from New Zealand, England and Australia, with French winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Scotland centre Huw Jones completing the team.
Munster giant Beirne was named Lions player of the series following the tourists’ win in Australia while he was then named Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the year.
New Zealand’s Ardie Savea is unfortunate not to make the cut, while Jamison Gibson Park was also in the conversation for the No.9 role.
England have two players in the XV, skipper Maro Itoje and forward Tom Curry. Scotland’s Huw Jones also makes it.
The women’s team of the year was named recently, but no Irish player is included. Aoife Wafer was named in the team for 2024 but has been badly hampered by injury this season
World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year 2025
1. Ox Nche (South Africa) 2. Malcolm Marx (South Africa) 3. Thomas du Toit (South Africa) 4. Maro Itoje (England) 5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) 6. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa) 7. Tom Curry (England) 8. Harry Wilson (Australia) 9. Cam Roigard (New Zealand) 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa) 11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France) 12. Len Ikitau (Australia) 13. Huw Jones (Scotland) 14. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) 15. Will Jordan (New Zealand)
World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year 2025
1. Hannah Botterman (England) 2. Emily Tuttosi (Canada) 3. Maud Muir (England) 4. Sophie de Goede (Canada) 5. Abbie Ward (England) 6. Alex Matthews (England) 7. Jorja Miller (New Zealand) 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (New Zealand) 9. Justine Pelletier (Canada) 10. Zoe Harrison (England) 11. Joanna Grisez (France) 12. Sylvia Brunt (New Zealand) 13. Megan Jones (England) 14. Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand) 15. Ellie Kildunne (England)
Individual award winners
- World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year: Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
- World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC: Sophie de Goede (Canada)
- World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year: Fabian Holland (New Zealand)
- World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year: Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand)
- World Rugby Coach of the Year: John Mitchell (England)
- World Rugby Referee Award in partnership with Emirates: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
- International Rugby Players Association Special Merit Award: Dan Carter (New Zealand)
- International Rugby Players Association Men’s 15s Try of the Year: Santiago Pedrero
- International Rugby Players Association Women’s 15s Try of the Year: Maia Joseph (New Zealand)
Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the latest sports news, headlines and top stories
#Irish #star #World #Rugby #Team #Year #English #forwards #Scot
