Yahoo Sport 
The best 10 women rugby union players in the world
1. Emily Scarratt
Scarratt earned comparisons to Brian O’Driscoll when she first burst on the Test scene as an 18-year-old in 2008, scoring 12 tries in as many games. Ever since, she has ruthlessly stamped her own brand on the women’s game. Crowned as the world’s best player in 2019, her career has been peppered with individual moments of class which showcase her versatility at outside centre - and the last 12 months have been no exception.
An all-rounder who always delivers at the crucial moments, her outside pass to Lydia Thompson against France set up England’s match-winning try in autumn last year and she crushed French hearts again when her last kick of the game split the uprights at Twickenham in November.
2. Poppy Cleall
The Saracens forward is one of England’s most resourceful players, having moved into her fourth position for her country in 2020. Having scored a hat-trick in England’s 66-7 drubbing of Wales in this year’s Six Nations, she lined up at number eight for the Red Roses’ return autumn friendly against France, having previously played prop, lock and flanker for her country. Her versatility has earned the plaudits of England head coach Simon Middleton, who has hailed Cleall as the "most knowledgeable" player in his squad and has also backed the 28-year-old to be one of the best athletes at the 2021 World Cup.
3. Portia Woodman
Widely regarded as one of the most destructive wingers in both sevens and XVs formats in the women’s game, Woodman was named World Rugby’s sevens player of the decade and also won 15s try of the decade for her explosive run in the 2017 World Cup final against England.
The Black Ferns star turns 30 this year but has shown no signs of slowing down in 2020, having set a record of six tries in one match during New Zealand’s Falmer Cup in October. Her biggest challenge in 2021 will be to win gold at the postponed Tokyo Olympics – the one medal which still eludes her.
4. Lark Davies
Not many hookers are found near the top of the try-scoring table – but Davies has just done that in the Premier 15s, England’s women’s premiership, having scored nine tries in as many matches for Loughborough Lightning this season.
5. Rachel Malcolm
Scotland have played some of their best rugby since Malcolm was handed the team’s captaincy in autumn last year, perhaps best evident in the side’s heroic fightback to earn a 13-13 draw with France in October.
6. Safi N’Diaye
France’s powerful leg-busting lock has been a mainstay in Annick Hayraud’s side and will be a key player if Les Bleues are to mount a challenge for a first World Cup trophy in 2021.
7. Zoe Aldcroft
The 2020 Rugby Players’ Association Telegraph Women’s Sport England player of the year has cemented her status as England’s line-out expert over the past two years. Still only 23, she is destined for a big future.
8. Jess Breach
Even despite a couple of injury setbacks in 2020, Breach continued to showcase her firepower. One of the most deadly finishers in the game, the winger scored two tries in round nine of the Premier 15s to ensure Harlequins remain top of the tree at Christmas.
9. Jaz Joyce
The sevens and fifteens Wales international has added firepower to Bristol Bears’ backline since joining in the summer. The speedster, known for her sublime finishing ability, is already among the top ten try scorers in the Premier 15s this season.
10. Marlie Packer
Famed for her industriousness at the breakdown, Packer is one of England’s most robust ball carriers. The Saracens flanker and new mum has continued to shine on the pitch while juggling the challenges of parenthood this year.
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