Tom Willis will leave English rugby with a trophy in his hands, after being named PREM Rugby Player of the Season at the 2025/26 Rugby Awards.
The powerhouse number eight beat out the likes of Tommy Freeman, Billy Searle and Ben Spencer to the award, following a devastating campaign with the North London outfit.
He wasn’t the only Saracens man to pick up a major award, either, with Noah Caluori winning Breakthrough Player of the Season after a dazzling maiden season in the top flight.
Tom Willis headlines 2025/26 Rugby Awards
Willis was the clear favourite to win the award, despite strong competition from the rest of the shortlist, after he bossed the stats charts across the campaign. At the end of the regular season, Willis finished top of the charts for carries (249), offloads (31) and defenders beaten (122), while also ending second for gainline carries (102), fourth for turnovers (17) and seventh for tackles completed (203).
“This means a massive amount,” he said. “I’ve had a brilliant time the last three years. Saracens have been massively supportive of me.”
Fellow Saracen Caluori was named Breakthrough Player of the Season following his exploits for the North Londoners, and he also ended the campaign as the league’s top try-scorer with 18 efforts to his name. His form also saw him called into the senior England squad on multiple occasions, and is in camp now ahead of their Nations Championship campaign.
“It’s been my dream growing up to be able to do what I am doing now,” said the 19-year-old back. “Being able to share the pitch with such legends, play against such legends, it’s been incredible.”
In winning the award, he also edged ahead of Archie McParland, Edoardo Todaro and Kepu Tuipulotu.
Both the Player of the Season and Breakthrough Player of the Season awards were voted for by fellow players.
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Northampton Saints’ Phil Dowson was named Director of Rugby of the Season after taking the club to top spot in the league, beating out Rob Baxter, Geoff Parling and Johann van Graan to the gong.
Commenting on the award, he said: “It’s a huge privilege. It’s a reflection of how well the team has been doing.”
The Saints boss was selected by a panel of media representatives from across the English landscape.
Elsewhere in the men’s awards, Joe Heyes was named England Player of the Season following his exploits during the Autumn Nations Series and Six Nations, and that also comes after he was named Player of the Summer tour back in August.
In the PWR, Olivia Apps was named Player of the Season after a strong year with Saracens, while Loughborough Lightning’s Haineala Lutui was named PWR Breakthrough Player of the Season. Zoe Harrison was also named Red Roses Player of the Season, after playing a key role in their World Cup and Six Nations triumphs.
Rhona Lloyd, May Campbell, Bo Westcombe-Evans and Mia Venner were also joint recipients of the PWR Top Try Scorer award, with all four players tied on 12 tries apiece in the regular season.
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Elsewhere, Lewis Moody was named the winner of the RPA Blyth Spirit Award, Josh Kemeny won PREM Try of the Season, Shona Campbell won PWR Try of the Season, Kieran Verden and Josh Bayliss, Christ Tshiunza, Natasha Hunt and Zoe Stratford and Emeka Ilione won RPA Personal Development Awards and Tom James was named Community Player of the Season.
2025/26 Rugby Awards winners in full
Gallagher Player of the Season: Tom Willis
PWR Player of the Season: Olivia Apps
Gallagher PREM Breakthrough Player of the Season: Noah Caluori
PWR Breakthrough Player of the Season: Haineala Lutui
Gallagher PREM Director of Rugby of the Season: Phil Dowson
PWR Director of Rugby of the Season: Barney Maddison
PREM Top Try Scorer: Noah Caluori
PWR Top Try Scorers: Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks), May Campbell (Saracens), Bo Westcombe-Evans (Loughborough Lightning), Mia Venner (Gloucester Hartpury)
England Men’s Player of the Season: Joe Heyes
England Women’s Player of the Season: Zoe Harrison
Other awards
RPA Blyth Spirit Award: Lewis Moody
Gallagher PREM Try of the Season: Josh Kemeny v Sale Sharks
PWR Try of the Season: Shona Campbell v Bristol Bears
RPA Personal Development Awards: Kieran Verden & Josh Bayliss, Christ Tshiunza, Natasha Hunt & Zoe Stratford, Emeka Ilione
Community Player of the Season: Tom James
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