Fin Smith has been crowned the RPA Men’s Players' Player of the Year at this year's RPA Awards 2024, held at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms on Wednesday evening.

The Northampton Saints fly-half polled the greatest number of votes from his fellow professionals to claim the most prestigious award in the English game, capping off a brilliant year for the Englishman.

Smith has had a sensational year for the table-topping Saints, helping them qualify for a home semi-final against Saracens on Friday night, and made his international debut for England in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations. He has scored 235 points for the club this season and also second in the Premiership Rugby Top Points Scorer charts, only to be beaten by Henry Slade. He was also named in the Gallagher Premiership Team of the Season.

On winning the award Smith said: “Winning this award is an immense honour, especially because it was voted on by all the players and teams I've competed against, which makes it even more meaningful. I am extremely proud of this achievement, so I just want to say a huge thank you to my teammates and coaches at Northampton who have helped me get this accolade.”

Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs’ Immanuel Feyi-Waboso took this year’s RPA Men’s Young Player of the Year award. The winger also made his debut during the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, coming off the bench in the opening game against Italy. He has scored ten tries in the league for the Chiefs, topping off a great year for the 21 year old, beating off Smith, Fin Baxter, Guy Pepper and Asher Opoku-Fordjour for the Award.

Feyi-Waboso said: “To win the Young Player of the Year Award is huge, I really appreciate all the players  who voted for me and those who supported me. It could have gone to so many other people and to even be nominated for this is such a privilege.”

Looking at the international game, Ben Earl won the England Men’s Player of the Year Award, in association with Advanta Wealth, and Alex Matthews won the England Women’s Player of the Year, in association with LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Both these awards were voted for by members of the England Elite Playing Squads.

Other notable winners on the night included Meg Jones of Leicester Tigers Women, named the Premiership Women’s Rugby Player of the Year, and Marlie Packer & Alex Waller awarded the RPA Special Merit Award.  Gary Street was presented with the RPA Blyth Spirit Award, for his battle with his recovery following his stroke last year. Courtney Lawes was inducted into the RPA Hall of Fame, following an illustrious career in England.

Speaking about the winners on the night, RPA General Secretary Christian Day said: "Congratulations to this year’s RPA Awards winners! Being recognised by your peers, especially those you compete against, is the highest honour for any rugby player. All our winners have had remarkable seasons and should take immense pride in their achievements."

For the full list of winners on the night please see below.

RPA Awards 2024 Winners:

The RPA Men’s Players' Player of the Year

Winner: Fin Smith, Northampton Saints

“Winning this award is an immense honour, especially because it was voted on by all the players and teams I've competed against, which makes it even more meaningful. I am extremely proud of this achievement, so I just want to say a huge thank you to my teammates and coaches at Northampton who have helped me get this accolade.”

The RPA Men’s Young Player of the Year

Winner: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Exeter Chiefs

“To win the Young Player of the Year Award is huge, I really appreciate all the players  who voted for me and those who supported me. It could have gone to so many other people and to even be nominated for this is such a privilege.”

The England Women's Player of the Year Award in association with LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Winner: Alex Matthews

“Thank you to all the players that voted for me. To be nominated by your teammates, amongst a phenomenal Red Roses squad that’s leading the way in the women’s game is the upmost privilege.”

The England Men's Player of the Year in association with Advanta Wealth

Winner: Ben Earl

“I am extremely honoured to be given this award. I’m extremely thankful to my England teammates for voting for me. Playing for my country is something I love to do, we have a great squad at the moment, who I really enjoy playing with, and I can’t wait to see how we develop over the next few years.”

The Premiership Women’s Rugby Player of the Year Award

Winner: Meg Jones

“I am extremely grateful to have received this award amongst some quality players in this league. We’ve had a tough but enjoyable season at Tigers and loved the backing and commitment from the girls. I’m excited for what next year has in offer as this league is only getting bigger and better.”

The RPA Special Merit Award, in association with Avanti Communication

Winners: Marlie Packer and Alex Waller

Alex Waller: "I'm truly honoured to receive this award and thank the RPA Players' Board for their nomination. I've made some wonderful memories playing for Northampton, and I'm grateful to all my teammates and my family for their support.”

Marlie Packer: "I am really honoured to receive this award. I love playing for my country, and to play 100 times for the Red Roses is incredibly special. Thank you to all my coaches, teammates and family who have helped me get here, and I can't wait to pull on a white shirt again ahead of the home World Cup next year."

The RPA Blyth Spirit Award

Winners: Gary Street

Gary & Helen Street: “We have been overwhelmed by the love and support of the rugby family and it has helped propel Gary’s commitment to his recovery.  This award recognises how hard Gary has worked to get home and the effect he has had on so many people through his passion for rugby.”

The RPA Hall of Fame

Winner: Courtney Lawes

“It’s an unbelievable honour to have my career recognised in this way. I never expected to be able to have such a career where people would look on my involvement in rugby with such fond memories. It is honestly what all players dream of and for this I am immensely grateful. I want to say thank you to all my peers for this recognition and to all those people along the way who have helped to make this a possibility for me.”

The Champagne Bollinger RPA Moment of the Season

Winner: Owen Farrell, making his 250^th appearance for Saracens

“A huge thank you to the fans for voting for me to win this Award. I’ve been at Saracens since the age of 14 and playing alongside my mates has been incredible. Making 250 appearances for this club with them has meant everything. Thank you to everyone at the club and for the fans for making my time so enjoyable.”

The Vodafone Business Gain Line Award

Winners: GJ Van Velze, Ethan Waller, Richard Capstick & Shona Campbell

GJ Van Velze

“Thank you for this award. It is the outcome of extensive effort and numerous mistakes made over the past six years. These awards are significant as they offer rugby players a sense of stability in life and motivate them to consider their lives after rugby. My carcass is not getting any younger and the support from the rugby community has been amazing.”

Richard Capstick:

“Winning this award means a lot to me and the team at Fireaway Pizza. Growing this business alongside my rugby career is something I’ve loved to do over the last few years and to be rewarded for it is something I’m grateful for, so thank you to the RPA for this recognition.”

Ethan Waller:

“I’m absolutely over the moon to receive the Gain Line Award. I’ve spent most of my career actively pursuing things outside of rugby and to be recognised for that is brilliant. I think it’s so important for players to get out of the rugby bubble and experience as much as they can whilst they’re playing because when inspiration strikes, like it did with the Butchers Yard, you can grasp those opportunities and make the most of them. A big thank you to my business partner Phil Roberts, the RPA and Vodafone Business for this award.”

Shona Campbell:

“Thank you for this award, it was hugely unexpected. Studying alongside my rugby career has been challenging but it is important to me to ensure I prepare myself for life after rugby.  I am hugely passionate about athlete mental health and well-being and being able to produce research that hopefully plays a small part in improving the understanding and awareness of athlete mental health in elite sport is all I can hope for. Thank you again to the RPA for the recognition and the award.”

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