Megan Jones has come through unemployment and the grief of losing her parents... now she's ready to be the best women's player on the planet and help England to World Cup glory

Born in Cardiff, Megan Jones was educated at Ysgol Glantaf, is a fluent Welsh speaker and between the ages of six and 12, was the only girl in a team of boys. 

Now, after a journey which has involved the loss of both her parents, subsequent grief and redundancy, she is not only on the verge of being named the best women’s rugby player on the planet but also close to leading England to Rugby World Cup final glory. 

Jones, 28, has a remarkable story to tell. 

And on the eve of English rugby’s crunch showdown with Canada at a sold-out Twickenham on Saturday, she sat down to tell it in captivating fashion. A packed room of journalists hung on her every word. 

‘No one wanted to tackle the girl,’ Jones said, remembering the Glantaf years ahead of the biggest game of her career – one which will be played in front of a world record crowd for a women’s game of 82,000. 

‘And then as soon as they saw my ability, it didn't matter what gender I was. I used to play scrum-half with the boys and they used to love how bossy I was!’ 

Jones has shifted to the outer backs as she’s got older, but her ability has never lessened and she has been a starring light at this World Cup. She is one of three nominees for World Rugby’s women’s 15’s player of the year award. 

It looks a gong that is hers to lose. Jones, a key figure for England at centre, should seal individual and team honours with John Mitchell’s side firm favourites to beat Canada. 

‘Particularly with the last year I had, obviously losing mum and dad in 2024, I think it was nice recognition and an appreciation of what I'm doing,’ Jones said of her nomination. 

‘I’m doing it for them, which is huge. But it’s also a little bit sad as well in the respect I couldn't share that moment with them. Of course, it’s been difficult. 

‘But it's been a huge fuel for me. I hate being the victim. I was never brought up that way – my mum and dad would hate that. I'd never sit there asking for pity and actually struggle to give sympathy at times because of the way my mindset is. 

‘The bit I want to get over is that through difficult times, through adversity, you can still fulfil your dreams and you can actually use that to drive you in such a good way.

‘Of course, there's loads of bad days but there's always good within a bad day. 

'Perspective is so beautiful and it's everything my mum and dad taught me. There are always silver linings. We've just got to look quite deeply sometimes.’ 

Jones' English-born mother Paula suffered with alcoholism and passed away last year, while her father Simon died earlier in 2024 after losing his battle with advanced lung cancer. 

The resilience and openness Jones has displayed in response, all while playing the best rugby of her career, has been remarkable. 

She had previously lost her sevens contract with Great Britain in the wake of Covid-19, briefly working as an Amazon delivery driver as a result. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, Jones returning to the 15-a-side game and excelling. 

England have lost their last two World Cup finals to New Zealand in 2017 and 2022, with Jones in the side for the former. But despite Canada’s undoubted ability, England should come out on top this time around. 

A victory on home soil would be the icing on the cake for the RFU, who have hosted a fine World Cup with strong crowds and impressive broadcast audiences. 

Saturday is set to be one of the good days Jones refers to. 

It's fair to say she deserves it. 

England undoubtedly have the talent to become world champions. 

But crucially, their mindset seems to be spot on too. In 2022, a red card in the final ended a 30-match unbeaten run in the game that mattered most. 

This time around, England go into a World Cup decider 32 matches without defeat. 

That sequence should move to 33, begin iconic celebrations and be the start of what could be game-changing impetus for women’s rugby in England. 

Captain Zoe Aldcroft said: ‘It’s our time now.’ 

And it certainly feels that way. 

‘I watched a lot of Welsh rugby growing up. I didn’t have a lot of female role models. [It was] Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones when Welsh rugby was thriving,’ Jones said. 

‘Those were the people I aspired towards. We’d be in the pub with my dad, cheering. 

‘In 2014, I remember watching England win the Women’s World Cup final at home in Cardiff and that was the first time I actually thought I was capable of doing this. 

‘Coming to England was about fulfilling my dreams as a professional rugby player, which was winning a World Cup. My superpower is not being part of four years ago because it means I don't carry that on my shoulders. 

'That gives a different perspective on this tournament. This is everything we've worked for over the last four years. For some girls, eight years. 

'And I think it's just going to be an amazing occasion. We've got one last chance to change the game in England.’