PWR Young Player of the Year shortlist announced

The PWR regular season is all wrapped up, and there were remarkable performances from bright young talent across the league in 2025/26.

Four players in particular stood out for recognition as the brightest young stars of the PWR, already displaying astounding ability and massive potential early in their careers.

Sarah Parry (Harlequins), Carmella Morrall (Loughborough Lightning), Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning) and Niamh Gallagher (Trailfinders Women) have all received nominations for the coveted PWR Young Player of the Year award.

Sarah Parry - Harlequins

Sarah Parry is one of the best young centres in the sport and has developed into a brutal ball carrier this season.

The 20-year-old made 193 post-contact metres this campaign, which ranks fourth among all centres and top among all backs under 25.

Her form earned her a call-up to the Red Roses squad for the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Reacting to her nomination, Parry said: “It’s really nice. I was really shocked to be honest, when I heard the news I thought, ‘Are you sure you’ve got the right person?’.

“To be named alongside Ala Lutui, who I’ve grown up playing with since I was 18, Carmella Morrall, who I played with in the centres last year in the U20s, and Niamh (Gallagher), who I met this year watching an England U20s game with Ireland. It’s really cool to be named alongside them, they are really unbelievable players.​

“My aim for the summer is to continue where I left off this season. I think I left in a really good spot, but that’s not it, that’s not me done.

“That is the ground level and now I just have to continue pushing and hopefully be recognised for the Red Roses pre-season, that’s where my goals are going to be.”

Carmella Morrall - Loughborough Lightning

Like Parry, Morrall is one of the best young centres in rugby, and she has been brilliant for Loughborough Lightning this season, particularly while bringing her teammates into the game.

The 21-year-old led all centres in both passes and try assists through the season, showing her potential to become an important playmaker for Lightning going forward.

Her form also earned her a call-up to John Mitchell’s squad for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Morrall said: “It is pretty amazing really. The other girls who have been nominated are all so talented, so it is an honour. It is such a competitive league now, so getting some recognition is really nice.

“Being called into the Roses squad was an unbelievable opportunity for me to get better. There is a massive step up between the PWR and international level, so being in that camp and learning from the girls playing senior international rugby was such a good opportunity.

“I really enjoyed my time in camp and just being involved in training has made me want to get back involved again. If I get that opportunity later in the year, it would be really awesome and it is a great incentive for me to keep pushing and working hard.”

Haineala Lutui - Loughborough Lightning

Haineala Lutui has been a bulldozing force at Cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens this season.

At only 19, Lutui led the league in carries and post-contact metres, whilst making the most metres of any forward.

Her barnstorming season earned her a Red Roses debut against Ireland in the Six Nations before scoring her first international try the following week against Scotland.

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Lutui said: “It means a lot to me. It is my first season of PWR and from the start, I never expected to get as far as I’ve come to this point, making my Roses debut and consistently playing in the league as well.

​“I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given. Coming to Loughborough, it has given me so many opportunities to develop and become the player I am.

“[My Red Roses debut] was unreal. It only really hit me that I was making my debut the day before, when we did the team run-through at Allianz Stadium. The nerves did hit me, but I was just so excited.

“As soon as I stepped on to the pitch and touched the ball a few times, I was fine. It was so much fun. Another special moment was seeing all my family afterwards, seeing I’ve made them all proud made me really happy.”

Niamh Gallagher - Trailfinders Women

Niamh Gallagher has been a revelation at full-back for Trailfinders, both with the ball in hand and in the kicking game.

The 20-year-old scored four tries and racked up 64 points across the season, having taken over goal-kicking duties for Trailfinders for large parts of the campaign.

She has shown off her ability to beat defenders, particularly in her exceptional solo score against Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Gallagher earned her first Ireland cap in the Six Nations and looks to be an up-and-coming talent for the Green Wave.

She said: "I very much like to think of what I can do in the moment to be better rather than think long term.

“But reflecting on some of the performances I have had, I have seen I have been able to contribute to some of the tight games like Quins away and Bristol away. So being able to contribute to a performance is always great.

​“My experience with Ireland has just helped build my confidence that I am able to compete internationally, so coming back to Trailfinders I have been able to bring what I have learned from the Ireland set-up.

“I now have that confidence going into Trailfinders games and being able to now show everyone around me and the players around me what I can do and what they can learn from me.”