Apps crowned PWR Player of the Season at The Rugby Awards

Saracens star Olivia Apps called her season in North London a 'whirlwind' after she was honoured as PWR Player of the Season, presented by Canterbury, at The Rugby Awards 2026.

PREM Rugby, PWR, the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) and England Rugby joined forces to celebrate the very best of the English game across the 2025/26 season at London’s iconic Old BillingsgateApps has raced to nine tries and nearly 750 metres made this season, with the playoffs yet to be played, and is an unstoppable attacking force in the already threatening Sarries lineup.

Apps said: “Moving into 15s has been a whirlwind but I have been able to play in the style of rugby I wanted to play in, which is very fast.

“What’s brought my success, from my crossover into 15s from 7s has been my individual athleticism that has allowed me to find space really easily on the field.

“I think I am able to add a little bit of unpredictable rugby, that has changed the game in the PWR, and that uniqueness has allowed me to play the rugby I want to play.”

Apps' teammate Zoe Harrison revealed her pride whenever she wore the Red Rose, after she was named England Women’s Player of the Season, presented by LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

Harrison’s accurate boot was crucial to securing a fifth-consecutive Guinness Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam, missing just two of over 30 kicks this tournament.

Harrison said: “I’m honoured every time I put the Red Roses shirt, and honoured to be back in the 10 shirt, after quite a significant injury.

“To be in the World Cup team was a super proud moment, I pushed my recovery because I was so determined to get back playing.

“In the Six Nations, we lost nearly half the team to injury and there was some uncertainty from outside, but we tried to not let that noise creep in.

“The girls did so well to adopt the mindset, that we had to learn quickly.”

The PWR Top Try Scorers of the Season Awards, presented by eToro, were shared between four players.

Gloucester-Hartpury speedster Mia Venner, Sale Sharks back Rhona Lloyd, Saracens hooker May Campbell and Loughborough Lightning's Bo Westcombe-Evans were all recognised for their 12 tries each over this campaign.

Westcombe-Evans said: “I didn’t have as high expectations to score as many tries this season but tries were on my bucket list of things to get this season. I go out in every match wanting to score.

“I am a winger, so I wouldn’t be able to score some of my tries without the rest of my team, mu forward pack and backs are outstanding.

“Having Emily Scarratt as your attack coach also makes it even easier to get the ball onto the wing. I’m gutted we didn’t make the top four, but I’m still so proud of everyone.”

Shona Campbell’s finish for Sale Sharks against Bristol Bears in Round 9, dotting down after a mazy team try full of line breaks and offloads, won the PWR Try of the Season Award, presented by TNT Sports.

The back talked about the moments before dotting down for the show stealer try of 2025/26.

“Katana [Howard] is so skilful, she pulls things out that no one else in this league can,” Campbell said.

“I’ve never caught the ball and thought ‘I have to score’ so much in my life!

“I think this award represents where Sale are, and the fact we are winning awards now is really cool and amazing.

“I’m super proud of the season, I was new coming into this club, but it now feels like my home. It’s a very special group of players and it’s nice to see the results on the pitch that we deserve.”

Loughborough Lightning rising star Haineala Lutui was crowned PWR Breakthrough Player of the Season, presented by The British Army, after a season where she made her debut for the Red Roses.

Lutui made her England debut against Ireland in the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, and scored her first international try against Scotland at Murrayfield a weekend later at No.8.

Lutui said: “It’s really exciting to get this award and to be able to come towards the end of the season, and reflect on all the hard work that’s been put in. During the season, you just put your head down and all these achievements come through.

“John Mitchell pulled me into the rugby office after training to tell me I was in the starting XV. I just cried.

"Stepping up from BUCS Super Rugby, into the PWR, and then into the Red Roses, has pushed me out of my comfort zone.”

Soon after his Trailfinders Women handing Gloucester-Hartpury a first loss of the season, Barney Maddison was recognised as the PWR Director of the Year, presented by Gallagher.

The West London squad have roared into the PWR playoffs for the first time in their history, and Maddison selflessly thanked his players.

Maddison said: “It’s been full credit to the girls, and to the staff, and how hard they’ve all worked this season.

“Trailfinders Women is an exciting place to be, and I think the PWR is a really exciting league to be part of.”

Natasha Hunt & Zoe Stratford, both from Gloucester Hartpury, picked up The RPA Personal Development Awards, and Hunt praised the work of the Rugby Players Association.

“How the RPA support injured players is hugely important,” Hunt said. "We put our bodies on the line week-in, week-out, and to know that there’s that safety net if needed is so important.

“What the RPA has done for the game has been absolutely phenomenal, they go above and beyond all the time.”

Lastly, the PWR Team of the Season was revealed, with Gloucester Hartpury the leading club with four players picked from the Circus. Trailfinders Women clinched three spots in the XV, a symbol of their strong season.

PWR Team of the Season:

1 - Hope Rogers (Exeter Chiefs)

2 - May Campbell (Saracens)

3 - Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury)

4 - Sam Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury)

5 - Alana Borland (Trailfinders Women)

6 - Rachel Malcolm (Trailfinders Women)

7 - Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning)

8 - Aoife Wafer (Harlequins)

9 - Olivia Apps (Saracens)

10 - Zoe Harrison (Saracens)

11 - Millie David (Bristol Bears)

12 - Meg Jones (Trailfinders Women)

13 - Claudia Peña (Harlequins)

14 - Mia Venner (Gloucester Hartpury)

15 - Emma Sing (Gloucester Hartpury)