Two England stars named in World Rugby Men's 15s Dream Team of the Year 2025, as South Africa dominance reflected in XV
Published 25/11/2025 at 10:19 GMT
React to this story
Two England stars have been named in the World Rugby Men's 15s Dream Team of the Year 2025, as South Africa's dominance was reflected in the chosen XV. There was also room for one Scot and one Irish forward, as some of the game's biggest names featured. Watch Wales v South Africa in the final Quilter Nations Series game this Saturday on TNT Sports and discovery+.
'Tempers running high!' - Pollock involved in post-match scuffle with Argentina
Video credit: TNT Sports
England's strong year has seen two of their stars named in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year.
Skipper Maro Itoje was recognised for a stellar 2025, taking his side on an 11-game unbeaten run to end the year, while also captaining the British & Irish Lions to victory in Australia over the summer.
Fellow England forward Tom Curry, embroiled in controversy over the weekend during his side's clash with Argentina, was also named in the team.
The XV is dominated by reigning world champions South Africa, after an impressive year which saw them win the Rugby Championship and end the year as the world's No. 1 international side.
If they avoid defeat to an improving Wales this Saturday in the Quilter Nations Series - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - then they will also have gone unbeaten across their five internationals this autumn.
Scotland's Huw Jones and Ireland's Tadhg Beirne were also voted into the XV following their impressive years for their countries and on the victorious Lions tour.
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)
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)
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/22/image-b0d9729e-330f-476f-97e6-c15406533b4c-85-2560-1440.png)
Highlights: South Africa prevail against Ireland in chaotic and card-filled clash
Video credit: TNT Sports
World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year 2025
The women's Dream Team of the year was announced last month, with England's World Cup winners boasting seven players in the XV, including Zoe Harrison and Ellie Kildunne.
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)
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)
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/23/image-203f6172-f4d4-4239-9f7e-479705b728e8-85-2560-1440.png)
Highlights: England survive Argentina fightback to cap off incredible autumn
Video credit: TNT Sports
World Rugby Awards 2025 recipients
World Rugby also released the full list of recipients for this year's awards, with England women's head coach John Mitchell having been named Coach of the Year.
- 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)
Watch and stream the Quilter Nations Series, the Gallagher PREM and the PWR on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement