Prem Rugby Awards Shortlists revealed

The shortlists for The Rugby Awards 2026, presented by Gallagher, have today been revealed.

For the second year, PREM Rugby, Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR), the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) and England Rugby are joining forces to celebrate the very best of the English game across the 2025/26 season at London’s iconic Old Billingsgate on Wednesday, June 10.

And for the first time TNT Sports and HBO Max will broadcast the black-tie event, live from 9pm, with hosts Craig Doyle and Emma Dodds joined by roving reporter David Flatman offering viewers exclusive access and interviews with the biggest names in the sport from the red carpet.

The full list of awards and nominees is below:

Gallagher Player of the Season:

• Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
• Billy Searle (Leicester Tigers)
• Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)
• Tom Willis (Saracens)

Gallagher PREM Breakthrough Player of the Season, presented by Defender:

• Noah Caluori (Saracens)
• Archie McParland (Northampton Saints)
• Edoardo Todaro (Northampton Saints)
• Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby)

The winners of the Gallagher Player of the Season and Gallagher PREM Breakthrough Player of the Season, presented by Defender, will be determined by a vote of PREM Rugby players.

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

• Rob Baxter (Exeter Chiefs)
• Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)
• Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
• Johann van Graan (Bath Rugby)

The shortlists for the above Gallagher PREM awards, and the winner of Director of Rugby of the Season, were chosen by a panel consisting of Christian Day (RPA), Jill Douglas (ITV, BBC), Ali Eykyn (TNT Sports), Hugh Godwin (The i Paper), Chris Jones (BBC), Alex Lowe (The Times), Ugo Monye (BBC, TNT Sports), Nick Mullins (TNT Sports), Charles Richardson (Telegraph), and Claire Thomas (BBC, TNT Sports).

Gallagher PREM Community Player of the Season, presented by Funding Circle:

• Sebastian de Chaves (Newcastle Falcons)
• Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)
• Will Hobson (Harlequins)
• Tom James (Northampton Saints)

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

Gallagher PREM Try of the Season, presented by TNT Sports

The shortlist, selected by the media panel, will be finalised following the conclusion of Gallagher PREM Round 18.

The winner will be determined by a public vote, closing on Tuesday, June 9.

Gallagher PREM Top Try Scorer, presented by Christopher Ward:

To be determined following the conclusion of Gallagher PREM Round 18 on Saturday.

Other awards to be presented at The Rugby Awards 2026, presented by Gallagher:

England Men's Player of the Season, presented by British Airways:

• Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
• Ben Earl (Saracens)
• Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
• Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)

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

• Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks)
• Zoe Harrison (Saracens)
• Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning)
• Meg Jones (Trailfinders Women)

The RPA Personal Development Awards:

• Kieran Verden & Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby)
• Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs)
• Natasha Hunt & Zoe Stratford (Gloucester Hartpury)
• Emeke Ilione (Leicester Tigers)

All recipients will be acknowledged on the night.

The RPA Blyth Spirit Award:

The recipient will be announced at the ceremony.

PWR Player of the Season, presented by Canterbury:

• Olivia Apps (Saracens)
• Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury)
• Clàudia Peña (Harlequins)
• Emma Sing (Gloucester Hartpury)

PWR Breakthrough Player of the Season, presented by The British Army:

• Niamh Gallagher (Trailfinders Women)
• Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning)
• Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning)              
• Sarah Parry (Harlequins)

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

• Alex Austerberry (Saracens)
• Tom Hudson (Sale Sharks)
• Barney Maddison (Trailfinders Women)
• Dan Murphy (Gloucester Hartpury)