‘This is really special’ - Henry Slade named Gallagher player of the season at Premiership Rugby Awards

Henry Slade says he “never thought in a million years” he would win the Gallagher player of the season prize at the Premiership Rugby Awards, after the Exeter Chiefs centre was rewarded for a stunning campaign.

The England international finished the regular season as top scorer with 155 points, which was enough to beat competition from Northampton pair Courtney Lawes and Fin Smith, as well as Bath’s Finn Russell, for the best player honour.

The 31-year-old’s team-mate Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was named the breakthrough player of the season, after the wing made his England debut during the Six Nations. His meteoric rise was demonstrated by the 21-year-old medical student saying his aim this year was simply to break into his university team in Exeter.

Northampton’s Phil Dowson was named director of rugby of the season following the Saints’ table-topping campaign.

Slade has bounced back from being dropped from the England squad for the Rugby World Cup last autumn, working his way back into Steve Borthwick’s set-up after a successful campaign personally. 

"I'm pretty speechless," he told Premiership Rugby. 

"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.

"The league this season has been a great advert for the game of rugby and I was really pleased to be nominated in the first place. This is really special - I don't win these sort of awards. I'm really happy."

While Slade and Feyi-Waboso’s club seasons are over, Dowson is preparing to lead the Saints into their semi-final with Saracens, live on TNT Sports on May 31. 

Northampton’s Ollie Sleightholme picked up his award for the Premiership’s top try scorer, having recorded 14 in total, including three hat-tricks, but the try of the campaign went to Harlequins wing Tyrone Green for his effort against Newcastle in Round 4.

Legendary referee Wayne Barnes was given the special recognition award, having retired after taking charge of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.

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