Zoe Aldcroft was the overwhelming winner of the Women’s Six Nations Player of the Round for her performance in England’s Finals Day triumph over France.
The 24-year-old flanker received a whopping 80% of the public vote to take the victory, with her nearest rival her England teammate Poppy Cleall a distant second with 10%.
Middleton: England found another way to win against France
Ireland’s Stacey Flood finished in third spot with 7% for her Player of the Match display against Italy in Dublin while Scotland captain Helen Nelson received 3% of the vote.
Like both Flood and Nelson, Aldcroft was named Player of the Match for her all-action showing against Les Bleues as the Red Roses clinched the title for a third consecutive year with a 10-6 win.
England knew their back row would have to rise to the challenge if they were to come out on top against France – and Aldcroft certainly answered the call at the Twickenham Stoop.
Aldcroft was relentless from start to finish against the visitors, making more tackles (15) than any other Red Roses player and setting off on 14 carries to boot.
Whether positioned at lock or flanker, she has delivered consistent displays throughout England’s latest successful Championship bid but she undoubtedly saved her best until last.
Cleall declares Bernadou challenge on her “tackle of the tournament”
Speaking after the contest, Aldcroft said: “It means so much, we’ve worked so hard since January and I think all that paid off. We worked hard for the full 80 minutes which is what we spoke about.
“It obviously came off and we got the win. They were pushing us back in the tackles but we knew that pressure was going to come on, so we just had to hold on in there and keep going.”
Women’s Six Nations Player of Finals Day voting result
B Zoe Aldcroft (England) 80% C Poppy Cleall (England) 10% A Stacey Flood (Ireland) 7% D Helen Nelson (Scotland) 3%
