Rugby: Former England duo Gill Burns and Carol Isherwood inducted into IRB Hall of Fame

Former England Women’s rugby duo Gill Burns and Carol Isherwood are amongst the first group of women appointed to the IRB Hall of Fame.

Ex-captain Burns represented England on 73 occasions during a 14-year international career and played in the 38-23 victory over USA in the Women’s World Cup final in 1994 – the first time England won the tournament.

Isherwood was a founder member of the Rugby Football Union for Women and skippered England in their first international game, a 22-4 win over Wales in 1987.

Credited with pioneering the development of the women’s game in England over the last 30 years, Isherwood was the first female to be appointed to the IRB Council’s Rugby Committee.

Both women have been awarded OBEs for their services to women’s rugby, and England Women’s rugby coach Gary Street is delighted to see the pair recognised by the worldwide rugby community.

“It’s fantastic to see both Carol and Gill recognised for their contribution to the women’s game,” he said.

"While our World Cup win this year has brought women’s rugby into the spotlight, the work that preceded that stretches back for many years. Carol and Gill were at the forefront of that and fully deserve their place in the IRB Hall of Fame.”

Frenchwoman Nathalie Amiel and inaugural Women’s World Cup winner Patty Jervey have also been inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame along with New Zealand pair Anna Richards and Farah Palmer.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset, said: “It is particularly pleasing to be able to induct the first women into the IRB Hall of Fame. These six were wonderful players and, in many ways, trail-blazers for the women’s game in their countries and around the world. We saw the success of the Women’s Rugby World Cup this year in France and it is doubtful that would have been possible if not for the pioneering spirit of those great players and personalities that went before.

"While our World Cup win this year has brought women’s rugby into the spotlight, the work that preceded that stretches back for many years, Carol and Gill were at the forefront of that and fully deserve their place in the IRB Hall of Fame.”