Gloucester's Williams named Player of the Season

Tomos Williams with a ball under his arm while playing for GloucesterImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Tomos Williams has been selected in the British and Irish Lions squad for this summer's tour of Australia

Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams has been named Premiership Player of the Season after a standout debut campaign with Gloucester.

The 30-year-old, capped 65 times for Wales, joined Gloucester from Cardiff in 2024.

He helped Gloucester to a fifth-placed finish in the Premiership, narrowly missing out on the play-offs by two points.

Williams' performances saw him named in the British and Irish Lions squad for this summer's tour to Australia.

"I didn't know what to expect from this season. I came in open-minded and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. I couldn't have picked a better club than Gloucester, and better coaches, they have been class," said Williams.

"It was the style of play that appealed. That has shown through the season, they give us the freedom to play and express ourselves and I think that has benefited me and the boys."

Pollock named breakthrough star

Northampton Saints flanker Henry Pollock scooped the Breakthrough Player of the Season award after an eye-catching campaign.

The 20-year-old broke into the Saints first team, making himself a regular after appearing for just 30 minutes in the Premiership the season before.

His performances have helped the Saints reach the Champions Cup final and he is the youngest player named in this summer's British and Irish Lions squad.

"The last 12 months have accelerated at a rate that I probably wouldn't have expected them to," said Pollock.

"If you had told me this time last year that I would be a British and Irish Lion, I probably would have slapped you on the back of your head. It's been mad and I'm very focused on the next job."

Jones wins PWR award

Leicester Tigers centre Meg Jones was named the Premiership Women's Rugby Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

The England international, who joined the club from Wasps Ladies in 2023, scooped the award despite the Tigers' eighth-place finish in the PWR table.

The 28-year-old, vice-captain of the Red Roses, has agreed a deal to join Trailfinders Women next season.

Freeman and Aldcroft claim England awards

Northampton Saints winger Tommy Freeman was named England Men's Player of the Season after an impressive Six Nations campaign in the spring.

Freeman, who made his England debut in 2022, has been named in the British and Irish Lions squad.

England captain Zoe Aldcroft scooped the women's prize.

The Gloucester-Hartpury lock led the side to a third consecutive PWR title earlier this year.

She was named skipper of the Red Roses shortly before the side won a fourth straight Six Nations title in April.

Other winners

Community Player of the Season: Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)

Director of Rugby of the Season: Johann van Graan (Bath Rugby)

Premiership Rugby Top Try Scorer: Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers) and Gabriel Ibitoye (Bristol Bears) - 13

PWR Breakthrough Player of the Season: Millie David (Bristol Bears)

PWR Director of Rugby of the Season: Sean Lynn (Gloucester-Hartpury)

PWR top try scorer: May Campbell (Saracens) and Millie David (Bristol Bears) - 16 tries