Cantwell and Clark to Enter World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2025

Lynne Cantwell and Rochelle Clark

World Rugby has confirmed that two trailblazers of the women’s game, former Ireland centre Lynne Cantwell and England prop Rochelle ‘Rocky’ Clark, will be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame later this month.

The honour will be bestowed at a special ceremony on 26 September during the Women’s Summit in London, staged on the eve of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final.

Celebrating Generational Greats

Cantwell, Ireland’s most-capped women’s player more than a decade after her retirement, was a driving force behind her nation’s rise in world rugby. She played in four Women’s Rugby World Cups, helping Ireland to a historic victory over New Zealand in 2014 and their first-ever semi-final appearance. She also claimed a Women’s Six Nations title and was part of the country’s first sevens teams before moving into leadership roles, including her current position as the IRFU’s Head of Women’s Strategy.

Clark, one of the game’s most recognisable personalities, won 137 caps for England across a glittering 15-year career, including four Rugby World Cup campaigns. A formidable scrummager, she lifted the World Cup in 2014 and collected eight Women’s Six Nations titles. Known as “Rocky” from her debut against Canada in 2003, she retired in 2018 as England’s most-capped player and still holds the record for the most women’s caps in the front row. Clark was awarded an MBE in 2015 and remains active in rugby as a coach, commentator, and mentor.

Honouring Rugby’s Values

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson praised the pair’s contribution:

“On behalf of the global rugby family, I would like to congratulate Lynne Cantwell and Rocky Clark on their richly deserved inductions into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

Lynne was a generational talent and an inspirational part of an Ireland team that secured a first-ever Women’s Six Nations title and beat New Zealand on the way to a first Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final. Rocky’s reputation as a world-class scrummager was deserved but her value went beyond that and she was an integral part of a hugely successful era for England.”

John Eales, Chairman of the Hall of Fame panel and himself an inductee, added:

“Their careers exemplify rugby’s core values of integrity, respect, and solidarity. This honour, celebrated during the Women’s Rugby World Cup, highlights their lasting impact on their nations and rugby’s global community.”

Expanding the Hall of Fame

Cantwell and Clark will join former Australia full-back Matthew Burke and England and Lions flanker Richard Hill, who were inducted earlier this year in Sydney ahead of the final Test of the British and Irish Lions tour.

Their addition brings the total number of Hall of Fame members to 175 since the institution was founded in 2006.

Hall of Fame 2025 Inductees

• No. 174 – Lynne Cantwell (Ireland)
• No. 175 – Rochelle ‘Rocky’ Clark (England)

The induction ceremony will serve as a fitting tribute to two pioneers who have helped shape the women’s game on and off the field, as rugby prepares for a record-breaking World Cup finale in London.

For more information on the World Rugby Hall of Fame, visit world.rugby/halloffame.