The 26-year-old World Cup star was presented with the award after fighting off competition from some of Britain's top athletes including world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle, heptathlete Jessica Ennis, cyclist Emma Pooley, swimmer Fran Halsall and skeleton rider Amy Williams.

Alphonsi won the heart of the voting public during September's Rugby World Cup, after she won national acclaim for her ferocious tackling as England reached the final.

"I am so delighted to pick up this award," she said.

"Really, it is a huge shock because the calibre of other athletes I was up against was so high.

"What makes this award so special is that it is decided by the public vote, and that means a lot to me.

"It just shows what a fantastic rugby community is out there.

"I am, however, only in this position because of my fantastic 25 World Cup teammates who all played a massive part in this success.

"Unfortunately we didn't win, but we got very close to it and we played some great rugby along the way."