Maggie Alphonsi is one of the biggest stars in women's rugby. Nicknamed 'the Machine,' she has won 49 England caps and was named IRB Women's Personality of the Year in 2006. At the beginning of this year, she beat the likes of Richie McCaw and Victor Matfield to receive the prestigious Rugby Writers' Pat Marshall Memorial Award. She is the first female player to win and follows in the footsteps of Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson and Jonah Lomu. This is partly down to her performances in last year's World Cup, when the England Women's team captured the country's interest as they blazed their way to the final. Despite a brave performance they came up short, losing 13-10 to New Zealand. Maggie said: "I am tremendously proud of our efforts as a team." Although the loss was disappointing, the fact that over 13,000 people showed up at Twickenham to watch the Women's World Cup final was groundbreaking. "The event showed women's rugby to be a great spectators' sport." Women's rugby has undoubtedly grown in success this past year, and the game looks set to flourish further in this year's RBS 6 Nations.WomenMaggie Alphonsiclick here to enterWin an England shirt signed by the entire women's team!Competition closes midnight 20th February.

click to Toby FloodSteve Thompson