Loughborough Lightning’s Lilli Ives Campion and Nathan Smith have been shortlisted for honours at The Rugby Awards.
For the first time, Premiership Rugby, the Rugby Players Association (RPA), Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) and Rugby Football Union (RFU) have joined forces to celebrate the best of English Rugby at The Rugby Awards, presented by Gallagher.
And Lightning stars will be up for some top prizes on Tuesday 3 June in the inaugural awards ceremony at The Brewery in London.
Second row Ives Campion made 13 appearances for Lightning in the 2024/25 season, as well as making her Red Roses debut in September 2024 against France before making her maiden Guinness Six Nations appearance against Italy in March 2025.
The 21-year-old is shortlisted for Breakthrough Player of the Season alongside Millie David (Bristol Bears), Clàudia Peña (Harlequins) and Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks).
Meanwhile, Smith has been shortlisted for Director of Rugby of the Year with Ross Chisholm (Harlequins), Sean Lynn (Gloucester-Hartpury) and Dave Ward (Bristol Bears).
Northampton Saints have also received two nominations. Henry Pollock is in the running for Breakthrough Player of the Season and Tommy Freeman is shortlisted for England Men’s Player of the Season.
The Rugby Awards shortlists:
Gallagher Player of the Season:
- Thomas du Toit (Bath Rugby)
- George Ford (Sale Sharks)
- Finn Russell (Bath Rugby)
- Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby)
- Tom Willis (Saracens)
Breakthrough Player of the Season, presented by Defender:
- Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby)
- Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)
- Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
- Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)
Director of Rugby of the Season, presented by London Pride:
- Michael Cheika (Leicester Tigers)
- Alex Sanderson (Sale Sharks)
- George Skivington (Gloucester Rugby)
- Johann van Graan (Bath Rugby)
Community Player of the Season, presented by Funding Circle:
- Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
- Olly Hartley (Saracens)
- Lewis Ludlow (Gloucester Rugby)
- Will Muir (Bath Rugby)
The winner of the the Community Player of the Season was voted by employees of Funding Circle.
Premiership Rugby Top Try Scorer, presented by Christopher Ward:
To be determined following the conclusion of Gallagher Premiership Rugby – Round 18.
Other awards to be presented at The Rugby Awards, presented by Gallagher:
England Men's Player of the Season, presented by Avanta Wealth:
- Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
- Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
- Maro Itoje (Saracens)
- Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
England Women's Player of the Season, presented by LexisNexis Risk Solutions:
- Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury)
- Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women)
- Meg Jones (Leicester Tigers Women)
- Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury)
Vodafone Business RPA Gainline Award:
- Josh Bassett (Leicester Tigers)
- Josh Caulfield (Bristol Bears)
- Harry Glover (Great Britain 7s)
- Harry Thacker & Jake Woolmore (Bristol Bears)
All recipients will be acknowledged on the night.
The RPA Blyth Spirit Award:
The recipient will be revealed on June 3.
PWR Player of the Season, presented by Clinique:
- Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears Women)
- Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins Women)
- Meg Jones (Leicester Tigers Women)
- Hope Rogers (Exeter Chiefs Women)
- Emma Sing (Gloucester Hartpury)
PWR Breakthrough Player of the Season, presented by Defender:
- Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning)
- Millie David (Bristol Bears Women)
- Clàudia Peña (Harlequins Women)
- Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks Women)
PWR Director of Rugby of the Season, presented by Asahi:
- Ross Chisholm (Harlequins Women)
- Sean Lynn (Gloucester Hartpury)
- Nathan Smith (Loughborough Lightning)
- Dave Ward (Bristol Bears Women)
PWR Top Try Scorer, presented by Christopher Ward:
- May Campbell (Saracens Women) - 16
- Millie David (Bristol Bears Women) – 16
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