World Rugby awards: England's Marlie Packer and Abby Dow nominated for women's player of the year
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Flanker Marlie Packer (centre) is yet to lose as England captain
England captain Marlie Packer and wing Abby Dow have been nominated for World Rugby's women's player of the year.
France centre Gabrielle Vernier and New Zealand captain Ruahei Demant make up the four-player shortlist.
Both Packer and Dow played influential roles in helping England secure a fifth Six Nations title in a row in April.
Fly-half Demant won the award in 2022, after helping the Black Ferns win the World Cup, and is bidding to become the first woman to win the award twice.
The winner will be announced on Saturday following the conclusion of the WXV1 final match between New Zealand and England in Auckland, which kicks off at 06:00 BST.
Women's breakthrough player of the year and try of the year will also be announced on Saturday. Scotland's Francesca McGhie is among the nominees for the former after making her international debut against England in this year's Six Nations.
Packer, 34, took over as England skipper from Sarah Hunter following her retirement after England's opening Six Nations match against Scotland.
The 34-year-old went on to lead her team to the Grand Slam in April with a 38-33 victory over France in front of a record women's crowd of 58,498 at Twickenham.
Dow, who scored the opener against France, has scored six tries in 2023, including four against Italy in the Six Nations.
Both players will start against New Zealand in Auckland in England's final WXV1 match, where victory would secure the inaugural title.
Vernier, 26, scored five tries in this year's Six Nations and was named player of the championship before helping France to an opening victory over the Black Ferns at WXV1.
On Sunday, New Zealand number eight Ardie Savea was named the winner of the men's award.