AFTER an undefeated year which featured a third consecutive Six Nations title, and back-to-back victories over New Zealand, England's Red Roses grew a cut above the rest and from this bunch, World Rugby's Women's Player of the Year emerged.
Second row Zoe Aldcroft, 25, received the prestigious award from England legend Maggie Alphonsi, in a surprise ceremony with her Gloucester-Hartpury teammates.
“I spend most of my weeks training with those guys so it was really special to have all of them in the room when I received the award,” Aldcroft said. “It was amazing to receive it from someone who's won it in the past, all these things are just inspiring.”
This was not the first time that Alphonsi had presented Aldcroft with an award at Hartpury College.
“One of the first times I came down to Hartpury, it was an U15's regional competition, and she (Alphonsi) presented me with a player of the tournament trophy.
“I hadn't seen her since, so every time she comes to Hartpury, she has presented me an award! It was so nice to receive it from someone who's obviously been in this position, and has worked so hard for it as well.”
Aldcroft is one of the first names on Simon Middleton's England team sheet, after her stand-out performances throughout the Six Nations and Autumn Internationals.
Middleton, World Rugby's Coach of the Year, gave Aldcroft her first taste of captaincy in November in England's 89-0 victory over the USA.
Middleton broke the captaincy news on her birthday. “I was just really happy; I couldn't really believe it. It's just something that I never thought would happen,” she said.
“All the girls played absolutely amazing in that game. It was a really good cherry on top of the cake, finishing the Autumn Internationals on such a high.”
The lock scored a breakaway try to secure a clean sweep of Test matches for 2021. With so many accomplishments, Aldcroft had to reach high for the stand out moments of her on-field year.
“I think that those lineouts against New Zealand were amazing. It's such a second row thing to say!
“Overall those two games against the Black Ferns are two real big highlights of this year for me.”
New Zealand remains the focus of attention for the Red Roses, with the pandemic-delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup kickingoff in October 2022.
England have drawn France in Pool C, and Aldcroft believes competition has never been closer between the old enemies.
“Every time we play France, it's a massive battle,” she says. “It's a game that we really get up for. The margin at the moment is just so small between us.
“We've played them so much we know each other inside out.”
Aldcroft's England teammate Poppy Cleall was also nominated for the Player of the Year award. The Saracens star congratulated Aldcroft, and reminded her of next year's World Cup challenge.
“Poppy's an amazing rugby player,” Aldcroft added. “She messaged me something like ‘we have each won awards,' and then we just said we have to win the big one next year together!”
