‘I’ve always backed myself’: Meg Jones reflects on remarkable year

England captain Meg Jones has reflected on her standout 2026 season after being named the number one player in the RugbyPass Top 50 Women's Rugby Players list. Over the past year, the 30-year-old centre took over the Red Roses captaincy, led England to a Guinness Women's Six Nations title, and helped club side Trailfinders Women reach their first-ever Premiership Women's Rugby final.

Despite facing adversity when England's 41-match unbeaten run was snapped during the WXV Global Series by Canada, Jones helped steer the team back to winning ways with a 55-12 victory over the USA. Jones was also nominated for World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year and selected for the World Rugby Dream Team.