- The all-action Number-Eight claimed 41% of the fan vote to win this year’s Guinness Player of the Championship award
- Wafer was shortlisted alongside England winger Abby Dow, France second-row Manaé Feleu and Scotland back-row Evie Gallagher
- The shortlisted nominees are based on performance statistics from the five rounds of the Women’s Championship, as well as topping the charts for fan votes to earn their place in the 2025 Team of the Championship
Ireland back-row Aoife Wafer has been named the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship after an outstanding campaign with the women in green, which earned her 41% of the fan vote, to decide the winner from a shortlist of four nominees vying for the coveted Player of the Championship title.
Wafer was presented with her award during an event hosted by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, to inspire young women with the power of sport. Wafter was attending alongside her Ireland Women’s Rugby teammate Niamh O’Dowd, before being surprised with the Player of the Championship accolade, and celebrating with those in attendance, some of which may go on to follow in Wafer’s footsteps.
The shortlist for this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship award included England winger Abby Dow, France second-row Manaé Feleu and Scotland back-row Evie Gallagher. Alongside Aoife Wafer, all four players were voted into the 2025 Team of the Championship, but their performance statistics and chart-topping number of fan votes secured the four places on the Player shortlist.
Over 18,546 fans answered the call to cast their votes, with the Ireland and Leinster star, narrowly fending off France second row Manaé Feleu by 333 votes to claim the prestigious title for 2025.
Wafer finished as the joint-second highest try scorer with four tries, adding to her impressive tally of 12 tries in 15 caps for Ireland. Her four tries in the 2025 Championship were the joint-most by any forward.
Beyond just a try scoring threat, Wafer made a staggering 70 carries, the most of any player in the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, for a staggering 424.7 metres, beating 17 defenders in the process, the second highest of any forward in the Championship. To watch Wafer’s best moments from this year’s Championship click here.
Off the rugby pitch, Wafer proved to be a fan favourite in the Official Six Nations Fantasy Rugby game, rewarding the fans who picked her with an impressive 221 points over the course of the Championship. This made her the second-highest scoring forward in the tournament, just behind Teani Feleu. Wafer also boasted the highest average points per game at 55.3 and registered the single highest individual game score with 82 points against Wales.
Commenting on being named the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship, Aoife Wafer, said: “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. It’s huge for me but also for our team; it really shows how much we have done in the last 2 years and how much we are growing. This trophy is not just mine, it’s the team, it’s my family, it’s more so for them than it is
“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 6 I wanted to play for Ireland, and then, as I started growing up it became like ‘you could be a professional women’s rugby player in Ireland’. 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.”
Watch the full interview with the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship, Aoife Wafer: HERE
Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, added: “Congratulations to Aoife, as well as each of the nominees from this year’s shortlist. 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. With each of the Six Nations unions and federations strengthening their development pathways, through participation in the U18 Festivals, and Women’s Summer Series, those players following in the footsteps of players like Aoife makes the future of women’s rugby incredibly exciting.”
Kevin Potts, Chief Executive of the IRFU, added: “Congratulations to Aoife Wafer on being named the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship, a truly historic and inspiring achievement. 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. I would like to pay tribute to her parents, Sam and Aidan, who I know have been a fantastic source of support for her since she took up playing rugby at a young age. Everyone at the IRFU is immensely proud of Aoife’s achievement.”
With thanks to 6 Nations Rugby
