Red Roses record try-scorer among the latest World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees.

Red Roses record try-scorer Sue Day is among the latest five World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees.

During a 10-year career with the Red Roses, Day scored 61 tries for England, including 19 at three Women’s Rugby World Cups. A tally only bettered by that of Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.

She also captained the Red Roses to one of the three Women’s Six Nations titles claimed during her career. Since retirement, Day has been appointed the first-ever female president of Wasps FC and as a partner at her accountancy firm.

Named the RFU’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer in 2017, Day helped the union secure Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and to establish Premiership Women’s Rugby. In 2020, she was appointed an MBE for services to gender equality in sport. Since 2024, Day has been director of women’s football at The Football Association.

Day joins Joel Staransky and Zinzan Brooke among the latest Hall of Fame inductees. She has been named alongside Women’s Rugby World Cup winner and USA Women’s Eagles legend Jen Crawford.

Crawford, who helped the USA win the first-ever Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991, will be inducted alongside Day at the WXV Global Series 2026 match between the USA and England on Friday 30 October in New York.

One day later, three-time Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Rochelle Martin will be inducted into the Hall of Fame ahead of the Black Ferns’ Test against France as part of WXV Global Series.

Men’s internationals Abdelatif Benazzi [France] and Diego Dominguez [Italy] will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the coming months. Benazzi, who won 78 caps for France over 11 years, will be inducted at the World Rugby Council dinner on 17 November. Dominguez, who represented both Argentina and Italy over 14-year Test career, will be inducted at one of Italy’s Men’s Six Nations matches against France or Wales.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “On behalf of the global rugby family, I would like to congratulate Jen, Sue, Rochelle, Diego and Abdel on their richly deserved inductions into the World Rugby Hall of Fame, joining Joel and Zinzan in taking our class of 2026 to seven members.

“They have each made their mark on our sport, not only on the pitch but also off it. Jen was a trailblazer for women’s rugby in the USA, Sue is still the Red Roses’ record try-scorer and Rochelle won three Women’s Rugby World Cups.

“I actually made my test debut for Australia against an Italy side featuring Diego, who would go on to become a talisman for the Azzurri. Abdel continues to be a driving force within the game, just as he was on the field, as a World Rugby Council member and steadfast chair of the men’s High-Performance Committee.”

John Eales, Chair of the Hall of Fame panel and a Hall of Fame inductee, said: “This year’s inductees represent the very best of our sport with extraordinary talent matched by humility, leadership and an unwavering commitment to rugby’s values.

“From World Cup-winning moments etched in history to the quiet, tireless work many have done to grow and champion the game long after their playing days, each of them has shaped rugby for the better. On behalf of the Hall of Fame, I warmly welcome them into the fold.”