Premiership Rugby Awards round-up

The 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season has been one to remember and its standout individuals were honoured last night at the Premiership Rugby Awards, presented by Gallagher.

Here's a round-up of the winners:

Gallagher Player of the Season

WINNER: Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

Exeter Chiefs' talismanic centre Henry Slade has been named Gallagher Player of the Season at the Premiership Rugby Awards.

He finished as the Gallagher Premiership's top point-scorer across 2023/24 with 155, ensuring he was a double award winner on the night, and has been the man for the big occasion for Chiefs throughout the campaign.

"I'm pretty speechless," he said. "I never in a million years thought I'd be up for it in the first place, let alone win it, especially with the calibre of the guys I was up against."

Nominated:

• Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
• Finn Russell (Bath Rugby)
• Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)

Director of Rugby of the Season, presented by London Pride

WINNER: Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)

The Northampton Saints Director of Rugby lands this prize after steering his side to the top of the table at the end of the season.

Nominated

• Johann van Graan (Bath Rugby)
• Alex Sanderson (Sale Sharks)
• Mark McCall (Saracens)

Breakthrough Player of the Season, presented by Defender

WINNER: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)

The Exeter Chiefs flyer picks up this coveted prize after a stellar season in Devon.

Feyi-Waboso scored 10 Gallagher Premiership tries and made his international debut for England in this year's Guinness Six Nations campaign.

"My aim this year was to break into the Exeter University BUCS team, so this is amazing," he said.

Nominated:

• Fin Baxter (Harlequins)
• Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins)
• Guy Pepper (Newcastle Falcons)

Special Recognition Award - Wayne Barnes

Legendary official Wayne Barnes is the recipient of this evening's Special Recognition Award following a superb career with the whistle.

Barnes took charge of 272 Premiership matches, including a remarkable 10 Finals, during his time in the middle and bowed out on a high by officiating the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final.

"Premiership Rugby has been very much part of my life over the past 20 years," he said.

"My first game was Bath versus Rotherham in 2003, so I have been involved in this amazing competition for 20 years.

"It’s sad to finish but the right time to finish - I’ve seen Ollie (Sleightholme) pick up top try scorer tonight and I refereed his Dad!

"I have so many wonderful memories of this competition and I’m so proud to champion it when I go around the world. This isn’t only a great breeding ground for players and coaches, but for referees too, and I’m truly grateful.

"My last 20 years in this tournament have been amazing and this is a very special night.”

Premiership Rugby Top Try Scorer

WINNER: Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints)

A tally of 14 tries, including two hat-tricks, ensures the top try scorer trophy goes the way of Northampton Saints' lethal wing Ollie Sleightholme.

He has formed part of an electric backline who have helped Saints finish top of the Gallagher Premiership table for the first time since 2015.

Sleightholme said: “It’s a reflection of the club in general and how we’ve been playing. The backline has been on fire, I’ve got boys setting me up and putting me through holes every week which makes my job a lot easier.”

Next three:

• Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs) - 10
• Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks) - 10
• Alex Lewington (Saracens) - 9

Premiership Rugby Top Points Scorer

WINNER: Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

The Exeter Chiefs centre claims this one having racked up 152 points across the Gallagher Premiership season.

Slade's five tries were added to by his reliable boot, which came up trumps at key moments for Chiefs throughout the campaign.

Next three

• Fin Smith (Northampton Saints) - 132
• Finn Russell (Bath Rugby) - 128
• Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) - 105

Premiership Rugby Try of the Season

WINNER: Tyrone Green (Harlequins: Round 4 vs Newcastle Falcons)

The flying wing's remarkable athletic finish against Newcastle Falcons claims the prize.

Green leapt full length to claim Marcus Smith's kick in the right-hand corner at Twickenham Stoop in Round 4, becoming a viral sensation in the process.

Green said: "It's great to win it, there were quite a few good tries from the guys out there so it's nice to come out on top.

"I'll never forget it, it's probably the best try I've ever scored.

"Marcus (Smith) always loves a cross-kick so you have to be ready. He normally puts it on the money but if he didn't overhit that one, I probably wouldn't have this award!"

Nominated:

• Tom James (Northampton Saints: Round 17 vs Gloucester Rugby)
• Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears: Round 16 vs Newcastle Falcons)
• Louis Lynagh (Harlequins: Round 17 vs Exeter Chiefs)

Community Player of the Season, presented by Funding Circle

WINNER: Andy Christie (Saracens)

The flanker is the first on stage to collect a prize at the Premiership Rugby Awards, having been recognised for his work as an ambassador of the Sporting Roots project.

Rotimi Segun, accepting the award on behalf of his teammate, said: “Supporting the community is a massive thing for us, especially through the Foundation, and we try and get them down to games and the training ground as much as possible. It’s great for them, it’s great for us, it brings everyone closer together.”