England U20 Women hooker Niamh Swailes has won her country’s first Six Nations Women’s Summer Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.
The 20-year-old front-row forward played a cumulative 140 minutes across all three matchdays, made 116 metres from 14 carries and registered two tries, including a notable breakaway effort against Wales on Matchday 2. Swailes brought her U20 Women’s cap total to seven and capitalised off strong domestic performances for Sale Sharks Women this season, where she totalled 19 competitive outings across Premiership Women’s Rugby and Allianz Cup campaigns.
“I’m incredibly lucky to be supported by such a lush group of girls,” Swailes said, who was one of six respective winners of the award from each union after the inaugural tournament in Parma, Italy.
“I’ve loved every minute of the Summer Series with this group, it’s been a fantastic experience.”
The awards were chosen by peer vote from a three-player shortlist highlighted through performance statistics and insight from Women’s Summer Series match commentators.
Margherita Tonelotto, the Italian backrow, French centre Hawa Tounkara, Ireland prop Sophie Barrett, Scotland’s flanker Gemma Bell and Wales prop Maisie Davies have also been named MVPs of their respective teams.
The England Women’s Pathway side, which could include up to three U23 members per squad and were led by LJ Lewis, were victorious over Ireland and Wales before defeat to France on Matchday 3 in the maiden outing at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. The tournament offers young players, coaches, and match officials a vital opportunity to gain further international rugby experience on the women’s international pathway looking ahead to the Women’s Rugby World Cup on the horizon in England next year.
England U20 Women’s head coach LJ Lewis said: “Despite it being a group effort that has helped us learn and grow these last few weeks, it’s important to recognise the individual developments of players and Niamh is no exception to that.
“The purpose of this tournament was to give players and coaches a platform to develop on the international stage, and experiences like this for Niamh and her teammates will serve them well for her club and country.
“Niamh has been a valued member of our squad, she’s served the team incredibly well as a vibrant and talented player. Her strong performances on the pitch are complemented by her personality that always shines through on and off the pitch – she is a deserving first MVP.”
Following the conclusion of the Six Nations Women’s Summer Series and the naming of the MVPs for 2024, Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, commented: “The Women’s Summer Series highlighted the next generation of exciting young women’s rugby players. It also showed just how important it is for Six Nations Rugby and its Unions and Federations to create opportunities for the players, coaches and match officials to gain invaluable experience that could propel them towards senior international honours in the Women’s Six Nations, or even the Rugby World Cup later next year.
“The MVP award winners, and those on the shortlists, are a testament to the incredible talent coming through the development pathway at each of the six nations, and highlights the great work led by our Unions and Federations to accelerate the growth of the women’s game. The MVP winners have been nominated by their peers, which makes these awards more meaningful and relevant for all nominees. Congratulations to all the players, coaches and the brilliant team of match officials and making the first-ever Women’s Summer Series an experience for all involved.”
