PWR shortlists announced for The Rugby Awards - find out who is in line for the end of season gongs!

For the first time, Premiership Rugby, the Rugby Players Association (RPA), Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) and Rugby Football Union (RFU) have joined forces to celebrate the best of English Rugby at The Rugby Awards, presented by Gallagher.

The inaugural awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 3 at The Brewery in London.

Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) is proud to reveal the shortlists for its prestigious end-of-season awards, celebrating the exceptional talent, leadership, and impact that have defined another landmark year for the league.

As the 2024/25 season draws to a close, the PWR honours the standout individuals who have inspired teammates, dazzled fans, and driven the game forward both on and off the pitch. Selected by an expert media panel, the shortlists represent the very best in coaching excellence, rising star potential, and elite performance at the highest level.

Genevieve Shore, Executive Chair of PWR, said: “We are in no doubt that The Rugby Awards will be the biggest and best awards ceremony of its kind, and we look forward to beginning a new chapter of history collectively honouring this season’s shining lights from across our wonderful sport.”

PWR Player of the Season, presented by Clinique:

·       Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears Women)

·       Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins Women)

·       Meg Jones (Leicester Tigers Women)

·       Hope Rogers (Exeter Chiefs Women)

·       Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury

Voted for by the PWR players, in collaboration with the RPA

PWR Breakthrough Player of the Season, presented by Defender:

·       Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning)

·       Millie David (Bristol Bears Women)

·       Clàudia Peña (Harlequins Women)

·       Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks Women)

Voted for by the Directors of Rugby at the PWR clubs

PWR Director of Rugby of the Season, presented by Asahi:

·       Ross Chisholm (Harlequins Women)

·       Sean Lynn (Gloucester-Hartpury)

·       Nathan Smith (Loughborough Lightning)

·       Dave Ward (Bristol Bears Women)

The decision was made by a media panel of: Fiona Tomas (Telegraph), Sara Orchard (BBC), Nick Heath (PWR Pod / Freelance), Claire Thomas (TNT Sports), Harry Latham-Coyle (The Independent), Imogen Ainsworth (RugbyPass), Sam Bytheway (The Women's Rugby Show) and Sarah Rendall (The Guardian / BBC).

PWR Top Try Scorer, presented by Christopher Ward:

·       May Campbell (Saracens Women) - 16

·       Millie David (Bristol Bears Women) – 16

England Women's Player of the Season, presented by LexisNexis Risk Solutions:

·       Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester Hartpury)

·       Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women)

·       Meg Jones (Leicester Tigers Women)

·       Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury)ny

An RPA Award voted for by the England players

Also on 3 June the following awards will be announced at a glittering ceremony

Gallagher Player of the Season:

·       George Ford (Sale Sharks)

·       Thomas du Toit (Bath Rugby)

·        Finn Russell (Bath Rugby)

·       Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby)

·       Tom Willis (Saracens)

Breakthrough Player of the Season, presented by Defender:

·       Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby)

·       Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)

·       Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)

·       Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)

Director of Rugby of the Season, presented by London Pride:

·       Michael Cheika (Leicester Tigers)

·       Alex Sanderson (Sale Sharks)

·       George Skivington (Gloucester Rugby)

·       Johann van Graan (Bath Rugby)

Community Player of the Season, presented by Funding Circle:

·       Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)

·       Olly Hartley (Saracens)

·       Lewis Ludlow (Gloucester Rugby)

·       Will Muir (Bath Rugby)

The winner of the the Community Player of the Season was voted by employees of Funding Circle.

Premiership Rugby Top Try Scorer, presented by Christopher Ward:

To be determined following the conclusion of Gallagher Premiership Rugby – Round 18.

Other awards to be presented at The Rugby Awards, presented by Gallagher:

England Men's Player of the Season, presented by Avanta Wealth:

·       Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)

·       Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)

·       Maro Itoje (Saracens)

·       Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)

Vodafone Business RPA Gainline Award:

·       Josh Bassett (Leicester Tigers)

·       Josh Caulfield (Bristol Bears)

·       Harry Glover (Great Britain 7s)

·       Harry Thacker & Jake Woolmore (Bristol Bears)

All recipients will be acknowledged on the night.

The RPA Blyth Spirit Award:

The recipient will be revealed on June 3.