Maggie Alphonsi has become the first female player to win the Rugby Union Writers' Club's prestigious Pat Marshall Memorial Award.
RUWC give England flanker Pat Marshall Memorial Award
Maggie Alphonsi has become the first female player to win the Rugby Union Writers' Club's prestigious Pat Marshall Memorial Award.
The award, which is handed out to the player deemed to be the outstanding personality of the year, comes after some inspirational performances for England during the Women's Rugby World Cup.
She was given the accolade ahead of New Zealand captain Richie McCaw and departing Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter.
Alphonsi has won 49 Test caps but shot to prominence after playing a starring role as England reached the World Cup final in September.
Fearsome
New Zealand eventually took the crown but Alphonsi's performances established her as the most fearsome defender in the game and possibility the best player in the world.
The Saracens flanker also works as a talent identification officer for the Rugby Football Union for Women and has been involved in
Sky Sports' rugby coverage as a pundit.
RUWC chairman Paul Morgan said: "In 2010 Maggie Alphonsi made a huge impact on the sport and emerged as one of the game's great ambassadors.
"The fact that she beat Brendan Venter, Richie McCaw and Victor Matfield in the final voting shows the esteem in which she is held within the Rugby Writers' Club, having helped take the women's game to a new level in 2010. Maggie is a worthy winner."
Former England captain Phil Vickery was presented with a special award by the RUWC after he was forced to retire due to a neck injury.
