Belton named in rugby’s all-star XV

Irish captain Sarahjane Belton has been named in the Women’s World Cup All Star XV, announced at the post-tournament dinner after New Zealand won their third title in a row.

Team managers and tournament officials joined together to select the tournament’s All Star XV.

There are four players from the winning New Zealand side, two English players, three Americans and one each from France, Ireland, Spain, Scotland, Kazakhstan and Canada.

Belton’s assured kicking and her hard-hitting tackling skills helped her get the nod ahead of a host of other competitors, including New Zealand’s Anna Richards and England’s Karen Andrew.

All Star XV: Rocio Garcia (Spain), Laetitia Salles (France), Vanessa Gray (England), Jenny Sutton (England), Jen Crouse (USA), Phaidra Knight (USA), Rochelle Martin (New Zealand), Anna Yakovleva (Kazakhstan), Paula Chalmers (Scotland), Sarahjane Belton (Ireland), Ellie Karvoski (USA), Exia Edwards (New Zealand), Huriana Manuel (New Zealand), Heather Moyse (Canada), Amiria Marsh (New Zealand).