Celebrating the Best of Rugby: Awards, Highlights, and Future Anticipations
The 2025-26 European rugby season showcased thrilling moments, outstanding performances, and unforgettable matches, culminating in the end-of-season awards that highlighted the best of the sport. Best Games Attended 14 March: France 48-46 England - A spectacular match featuring thirteen tries, including four from Louis Bielle-Biarrey and a last-minute penalty from Thomas Ramos. 12 June: Northampton 45-31 Leicester - An electric atmosphere characterized this gripping Prem semi-final. 10 April: Bath 43-41 Northampton - Despite a strong start from the Saints, Bath clinched a spot in the Champions Cup semi-finals. Teams of the Year Bordeaux-Bègles (Champions Cup) England’s Red Roses (World Cup winners) Northampton Saints Champagne Moments Rhys Carré’s solo try for Wales against Ireland. Finn Russell’s clever kick-off leading to Darcy Graham’s try for Scotland. Christ Tshiunza’s impressive sidestepping try for Exeter Chiefs. Top Coaching Brains Phil Dowson and Sam Vesty (Northampton) Rob Baxter (Exeter Chiefs) John Mitchell (England women) and Noel McNamara (Bordeaux) Men’s & Women’s Players of the Season Men: Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Maxime Lucu, Tom and Jack Willis, Matthieu Jalibert. Women: Meg Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Sophie de Goode. Best Matchday Experience France v England in Paris. Bordeaux-Bègles v Bath in the Champions Cup semi-final. Champions Cup final - Bordeaux-Bègles v Leinster in Bilbao. Women’s World Cup final in London. Best Media Operation Northampton Saints Inspirational Rugby Figures Lewis Moody, Ed Slater, Matt Hampson. Looking Ahead to 2026-27 Unity within Welsh rugby. The anticipated New Zealand tour of South Africa. Northampton Saints’ potential Champions Cup draw against Toulouse or Bordeaux. The future of Shaun Edwards, a legend with seven Six Nations titles.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-06-23