ScrumQueens’ XV Team of 2014

This selection, and all of the other awards that will be announced over the next few days, has been based on the results of areader poll, which opened on 10th December and closed on the 28th. The results were used to produce ashortlistfrom which the final awards winners (or team members, in this case) have been selected.

As around half of nominations came from readers in just two countries (who tended to support their own players) the number of nominations received has not always been the decisive factor. However in most cases the player with the greatest support has been selected in the team, especially where that support has been overwhelming or they have been supported by readers from several different countries.

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the team - especially compared to previous years when they have played - is the lack of any Black Ferns.The teamincludes six players from England, four from France, three from Canada and two from Ireland.

The World Cup - and the large number of nominations this year - has also allowed us to publish a 2nd XV.

Note that - to allow us to celebrate as many players as possible - a player cannot be selected in both our 1st XV (below) and our Sevens squad (to be published tomorrow). In practice this only affected the selection of one player.

1 Rochelle Clark (England)England’s rock, Clark is a veteran of three World Cup finals and few would deny she was one of the most deserving gold medalists in the team who lifted the Cup.

2 Gaelle Mignot* (France)The French captain was in tears as her side crashed out at the semi final stages of the World Cup but she had a superb year, leading her team to a Six Nations title. The widespread respect she has received was reflected by her receiving as many nominations for the hooker position from readers outside France as from French readers.

3. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid *(Canada)This is a bit of a cheat as Pinault-Reid is also a loosehead but nominations plus superb World Cup performances means she must be included.

4. Tamara Taylor * (England)A brilliant season for one of the most experienced locks out there, Taylor was magnificent throughout in England’s engine room

5. Assa Koita (France)Mali-born giant of the French second row, standing 6' (1.82m) tall and 15½ stone (100kg), she relishes the "hits and the tackles" - and has given plenty of both in a year that brought France the Grand Slam and third in the World Cup. Proud to be a role model for France's African-born sportswomen.

6 Karen Paquin* (Canada)A brilliant year for an outstanding athlete, Paquin impressed again and again in a Canada shirt this season and wins a spot ahead of stiff competition in the backrow.

7 Maggie Alphonsi* (England)A massive vote was received for one of the all time greats of women's rugby, who bowed out of international rugby on a huge high with some superb World Cup performances. Remains a key player for her club Saracens as well as the best known name in the English game.

8 Safi N’Diaye (France)The powerful French star sometimes tends to drift in and out of games but at her most destructive she’s almost impossible to stop. A superb Six Nations and a very solid World Cup saw her pick up a raft of votes.

9 Mo Hunt * (England)Her ability to change a game with her pace and eye for a gap means Hunt also beats off tough competition to win the coveted number 9 shirt this year. Will be around for years to come.

10 Katy McLean* (England)England’s captain did all that was asked of her this year – leading a team out of the disappointment of missing out on the Six Nations to the glory prize later in the summer. Spoke superbly as England also won the coveted BBC Sport Team of the Year recently.

11 Alison Miller (Ireland)A top class finisher, Miller’s power and pace was a real asset to Ireland over the past 12 months, none more so than her brilliant finish against New Zealand. Another player who has a huge future ahead of her.

12 Marjorie Mayans (France)Declared "La reine du placage" in France(placage=tackling, but more literally means "plating or veneering" - flattening in effect).It is a subriquet that perfectly matches her textbook tackling style. Her shuddering hits and strong running means Mayans picked up a huge share of the vote, and not just from French readers. An outstanding year for the centre.

13 Emily Scarratt* (England)Overwheming support in the poll in this position for arguably the most accomplished player in the world right now with her balanced running, excellent kicking and ability to grab a game by the scruff of the  neck evident all year long.

14 Magali Harvey* (Canada)The find of the World Cup is is no surprise that Harvey was not only the most voted for player in this category by the public, but also picked up votes from readers in more countries than anyone else in any position. Indeed so popular is she around the world that if we had gone strictly by the public vote Magali would be wearing the No 11 shirt as well!15 Niamh Briggs* (Ireland)Overall another accomplished season saw Briggs sneak the vote ahead of some very experienced fullbacks. Ireland’s rock at the back and an assured kicker all year long.

*denotes players who also made the Scrumqueens.com Team of the World Cup

Our second team would consist of:1. Fiona Coghlan (Ireland), 2. Victoria Fleetwood (England), 3. Sophie Hemming (England), 4. Rawinia Everitt (New Zealand), 5. Coumba Diallo (France), 6. Claire Molloy (Ireland), 7.Koumiba Djossouvi (France), 8. Sarah Hunter (England), 9. Patricia Garcia (Spain) , 10. Sandrine Agricole (France), 11. Honey Hireme (New Zealand), 12. Rachael Burford (England), 13. Lynne Cantwell (Ireland), 14, Kat Merchant (England), 15. Danielle Waterman (England)