Canada lock Sophie de Goede was named women’s player of the year.

The 26-year-old, who plays for Saracens, only returned in July after 13 months out from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

De Goede had an outstanding World Cup and won player of the match against Wales and Australia.

She also scored a try in Canada’s semi-final win over New Zealand.

De Goede’s team-mates lifted her up on their shoulders to celebrate her winning the award.

“It just shows the unity and joy and love that the team has for each other,” she said.

“It’s just a privilege for me to get to play with these women.”

Canada came into the final 95% of the way towards their million-dollar fundraising goal entitled ‘Mission: Win Rugby World Cup’ – set up to help them compete with the world’s best-funded teams.

“We have the ability as a team, a nation and a programme to win the World Cup,” De Goede said.

“We could have done it today but just didn’t put it out on the field. If we can have greater investment it will only increase the odds heading into Australia in 2029.”

New Zealand wing Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 18, won the breakthrough award after scoring 11 tries to top the tournament try-scoring charts.