Jack Willis and Louis Bielle-Biarrey retained their awards at the 22nd Night of Rugby, held on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Olympia in Paris. The Stade Toulousain flanker was honored in the Top 14, while the Union Bordeaux-Bègles winger received the award for best French international player. ( top14.lnr.fr )
Key takeaways
Both players were honored for the second consecutive year. Willis received the Top 14 Player of the Year award, presented at a ceremony recognizing the 2025-2026 season. Bielle-Biarrey was once again recognized for his performances with the French national team. The National Rugby League presented thirteen awards during this edition. ( top14.lnr.fr )
The facts
Jack Willis beat out fellow contenders for the championship’s top prize, Matthieu Jalibert and Harry Plummer. The English flanker becomes only the second player to win the trophy two seasons in a row, after Antoine Dupont, who won it in 2023 and 2024. The LNR also points out that Toulouse has won four consecutive Top 14 titles, a period during which Willis contributed to the club’s success. ( top14.lnr.fr )
Among the French internationals, Louis Bielle-Biarrey was preferred to his Bordeaux teammate Matthieu Jalibert and Toulouse’s Thomas Ramos. The winger notably scored nine tries during the 2026 Six Nations Championship, a record for a single edition according to the French Rugby Federation. ( monclubhouse.ffr.fr )
The ceremony also recognized other figures in French rugby. Fabien Brau-Boirie of Pau received the award for Breakthrough Player of the Season, and the Montpellier coaching staff received the award for Best Coaching Team in the Top 14. In women’s rugby, Mathilde Lazarko was named Best Elite 1 Player and Léa Champon Best French International Player. Racing 92 was recognized for its social commitment. ( top14.lnr.fr )
Two awards, two paths
The awards highlight performances in different contexts: Willis is recognized for his league season with Toulouse, while the Bielle-Biarrey Award celebrates his international career with Les Bleus. These distinctions, presented in Paris during the Night of Rugby, confirm the central role of both players in French rugby for the 2025-2026 season, without conflating club success with national team achievements.
Source: franceinfo- Rugby
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