Northampton Saints ended the 2025-26 PREM Rugby season as deserved champions, reclaiming the title they won in 2024 with a 26-17 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham.
It brought the curtain down on what was an entertaining campaign, yet not one without its problems. Here, Daily Mail Sport’s ALEX BYWATER hands out his end-of-season awards…
Best team – Northampton Saints
It’s not always the best team that wins the league due to the nature of the play-off system, but that was the case this season. Northampton were a joy to watch in attack, becoming the first PREM team to score more than 100 tries over the course of a regular campaign. Phil Dowson’s side also showed in the final they have a mean defence and the physicality needed to win ugly. A top, top team and the club with the best media operation too!
Star player – Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Willis was outstanding for Saracens despite them not making the play-offs. His carrying and immense physicality were on another level and he’ll be badly missed when he moves to Bordeaux this summer. But Slade was back to his best this term, his consistency taking Exeter from the nadir of a ninth-placed finish last season to the final this. Slade ended as the league’s top points scorer and must be considered for England involvement this summer.
Henry Slade’s consistency should bring him to the attention of Steve Borthwick for England
Coach of the year – Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
When Parling arrived at Welford Road from Australia to take charge of the Tigers on short notice, not much was expected. The former England lock had little time to play with. But he instantly got a tune out of his squad at Welford Road, taking them to the play-offs which was no mean feat. He also added an extra layer of attacking threat to a team commonly known for its bruising forward power. Leicester are losing key players such as George Martin and Nicky Smith in the off-season, but Parling’s first campaign showed plenty of promise for the future.
Best try – Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears vs Harlequins)
Props just aren’t supposed to score from 40 metres out. But that is exactly what Bristol’s England prop Genge did against Harlequins at Twickenham last Christmas. The PREM saw so many brilliant tries, but Genge’s stood out from a packed crowd. Collecting the ball from a quick line-out taken just inside the opposition half, the man known as ‘Baby Rhino’ rampaged forward with menace, making the try line with a combination of power and no little pace. Honourable mentions for Northampton tries for Josh Kemeny and Henry Pollock against Sale and Bath respectively. Noah Caluori also scored some belters in his breakthrough campaign at Saracens which included a league-leading 18 tries.
Best signing – Billy Searle (Leicester Tigers)
When South Africa’s double World Cup-winning No 10 Handre Pollard departed Leicester, it looked like he’d leave a huge void. Not many would have expected former Worcester man Searle to fill it. But as a previously unheralded figure, Searle delivered. He started ahead of the higher-profile James O’Connor and guided his team to the play-offs. Exeter’s recruitment was also very good with Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and Andrea Zambonin all having strong first campaigns in England.
Billy Searle was an unheralded figure who rose to the occasion after moving to Leicester Tigers
Biggest disappointment – Harlequins
Newcastle’s first season under Red Bull ownership didn’t deliver much improvement, but their turnaround was always going to take time and they simply have to be better next term. Harlequins are spending big but finished ninth in what was an awful campaign. The London club finished second bottom above only Newcastle which is not acceptable. Gloucester and Sale weren’t much better.
Player the league will miss – Thomas du Toit (Bath)
Willis is right up there but the PREM won’t be the same without Du Toit. Bath’s South African powerhouse prop has been consistently the league’s best player in his time in England, scoring try after try and being an absolute scrum menace. You do wonder if Bath will be the same force without him.
Top personality – Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
It just had to be him. Pollock is a force of nature on and off the field and despite him having plenty of detractors, it is this writer’s view that the back-row is a huge positive for English rugby. He is a marketable figure, as was shown by his signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and rugby needs that badly. Crucially, he showed in Northampton’s play-off and final matches he is some player too. It will be hard for England not to start him in the Nations Championship.
Henry Pollock is one of the biggest young stars in the game and has the medals to match
Laugh out loud moment
The clash between Leicester head coach Parling and TNT Sports presenter Craig Doyle at Villa Park was as awkward as it was hilarious. As part of their pre-match coverage before Gloucester’s game with the Tigers, TNT pundit Liam MacDevitt aimed a shot at goal which landed near the Leicester players who were warming up. Parling took exception, shoving Doyle and using some expletives to show him his disapproval. The incident caused plenty of headlines but was taken far too seriously that it needed to be.
Worst haircut – Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears)
Somehow, the mullet seems to be becoming more mainstream. Why?! I’m not convinced! Bristol’s promising young Wales wing Boshoff has one of the worst and his is rivalled by Northampton’s George Hendy, who scored two tries in his team’s final win. Hendy’s gingery-blonde mullet and goatee has to be questioned!
