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UCD’s Aoife Wafer crowned best player of the 2025 Women’s Six Nations

20 May 2025

Leinster forward and UCD Ad Astra Elite Sport Scholar Aoife Wafer with the Women's Six Nations Player of the Championship trophy Credit: Six Nations Rugby

Irish back row and UCD Ad Astra Elite Sport Scholar Aoife Wafer has been crown the best player of the 2025 women’s Six Nations, becoming Ireland’s first ever winner of the tournament award.

The 22-year-old Leinster forward (opens in a new window)won the covet prize after an outstanding campaign with the women in green, helping them to secure a third-place finish in the competition.

One of four nominees shortlisted for the award, Aoife saw off France second row Manaé Feleu, England winger Abby Dow, and Scotland back row Evie Gallagher to win the public poll with 41% of 18,500 votes cast.

All four players were also named in the 2025 Team of the Championship.

“It means the world to me because I want to be the best in the world, and I want my name up there with those Irish women’s rugby stars. I feel that this award is a little step towards that,” said the Stage 3 Physiotherapy student.

"It’s huge for me but also for our team; it really shows how much we have done in the last two years and how much we are growing. This trophy is not just mine: it’s for the team; it’s for my family. It’s more so for them than it is for me.

“I always wanted to be the best at everything I did, I wanted to make my family, my friends and my team proud. Ever since I was six, I wanted to play for Ireland, and then, as I started growing up it became [so that] you could be a professional women’s rugby player in Ireland.”

Aoife was presented with her award during an event hosted by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain aimed at inspiring young women through the power of sport.

She attended alongside Ireland teammate Niamh O’Dowd and was surprised with the accolade, celebrating with those in attendance.

"It’s great to be nominated and win this trophy, and hopefully this can inspire the younger generation to pick a rugby ball or to pick up any sport, as it’s very important,” she said.

The Wexford native finished as the joint-second highest try scorer with four tries during the 2025 championship, giving her 12 tries in 15 caps for Ireland.

Beyond scoring, she made 70 carries, the most of any player in the Six Nations, covering 424.7 metres and beating 17 defenders—the second-highest total for a forward.

Reacting to the award, Kevin Potts, chief Executive of the IRFU, hailed it as an historic moment.

"As the first Irish woman to receive this honour, Aoife has not only showcased world-class talent but also is helping to inspire future generations.”

Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, added: "The quality of players in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations continues to show the calibre of the athletes competing at the elite level of the game, and the likes of Aoife are incredible examples for future stars of women’s rugby.”

By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations

To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie

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