15. Pauline Barrat (France)
Barrat was one of a number of previously uncapped players in the France squad and based on her performances, she is here to stay.
The 21-year-old was electric with ball in hand, ranking in the top five for carries (63, 5th), metres gained (523, 2nd), defenders beaten (23, joint 2nd) and line breaks (eight, joint 5th). Her link play really set her apart, as she assisted 12 line breaks – the only player to hit double figures – and recorded four try assists.
14. Anais Grando (France)
Another debutant in the France back three, Grando had an excellent campaign and pipped Ireland’s Beibhinn Parsons to the number 14 shirt.
Grando finished as Les Bleues’ top try-scorer (five) with only Marlie Packer (seven) and Amy Cokayne (six) crossing the line more times. She also made the most offloads (six) of any France player, while only Ellie Kildunne (14) made more line breaks.
13. Meg Jones (England)
Jones took up the mantle of England captain for this year’s Six Nations and led by example.
She was the only England player to play every minute and was the top-ranking centre for try involvements (seven – three tries, four assists), carries (56), metres gained (285), defenders beaten (21), line breaks (nine) and line break assists (nine).
12. Courtney Keight (Wales)
Wales’ campaign culminated in a disappointing Wooden Spoon for the third consecutive year, but there were some bright spots, not least the form of Keight who provided some much-needed go-forward in the midfield.
The Sale Sharks player gained 131 metres-in-contact, the most of any back, and provided plenty of bite in defence too, with no back managing to better her tally of five dominant tackles.
