Meg Jones Recognised on King’s New Year Honours List

Meg Jones has been included on the King’s New Year Honours list for 2026, recognised with an MBE.

Jones played a key role in England’s Rugby World Cup success on home soil, beating Canada in the final at Allianz Stadium back in September. She scored a brace against Samoa in the pool stages and a crucial try on the way to beating France in the semi-final.

Earlier in the year, the dynamic centre lit up the Red Roses grand slam winning Six Nations campaign with two tries and three try assists.

On a personal note, she was a World Rugby Player of the Year nominee and selected in the World Rugby Dream Team of the Year. Domestically, she was named PWR Player of the Season for a second consecutive year.

On being made an MBE, Jones said:

“I didn’t really know what to expect. You certainly never really think of getting it… I guess you think of just winning the World Cup and then all the other bits that come with it are just extras – and then obviously it’s an amazing honour!

“I feel a massive honour and privilege to receive the award, and hopefully put rugby on the map, which is all part of the aim.

“One of the Red Roses legacies is to inspire the next generation and keep pushing the narrative. If we can keep doing that, then we know we’ll be doing the best thing we possibly can for this sport.”

Red Roses Ellie Kildunne and Sadia Kabeya have also been recognised with MBEs, and Zoe Stratford (née Aldcroft), Marlie Packer and head coach John Mitchell will receive OBEs.