The Wales captain was named Welsh Player of the Year after a year which saw the Ospreys back row forward become a Test Lion on the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia.
It may have been a year to forget on the field for our national men’s and women’s teams, as well as the four Welsh regions, but our man Nicholas managed to find enough chinks of light amid all the gloom.
Those fragments of gold included three awards for Cardiff players, underlining their encouraging start to the 2025-26 campaign.
At a lavish solo ceremony at a secret location somewhere within his own house, Nicholas described Morgan as “the best player Wales have produced over the last few years” and predicted he would soon be mentioned among the greatest Welsh players of all time if his trajectory continues.
The awards evening featured five categories, beginning with the Breakthrough Player of the Season, which was claimed by Tom Bowen of Cardiff.
Bowen was recognised for an electric introduction to senior rugby, consistently impressing with his attacking threat and try-scoring ability, and was tipped for future international honours.
The Old Dog, New Tricks Award went to Ollie Cracknell, whose late-career resurgence has earned him widespread admiration.
Cracknell’s performances for Leicester Tigers saw him break into the Wales squad at the age of 31, before earning a man-of-the-match award in just his second international appearance.
Alex Mann of Cardiff.
One of the night’s most hotly debated categories was Game of the Year, with three memorable contests shortlisted.
The award ultimately went to the Ospreys’ dramatic 43–40 victory over Connacht, an end-to-end encounter that saw momentum swing repeatedly before a thrilling finish.
Nicholas described it as his favourite match of the year.
The Regional Player of the Year honour was presented to Alun Lawrence of Cardiff, who was recognised for outstanding consistency and work rate at club level.
Lawrence topped the URC charts as both the leading tackler and carrier in Wales last season, and has repeated that feat again this season, underlining his importance to his side.
The Most Improved Player of the Year was won by another favourite of the Arms Park faithful, flanker Alex Mann who impressed Nicholas with his return to the Wales team as well as his consistent form at club level.
The glittering ceremony concluded with the presentation of the Wales Player of the Year Award - clinched by Morgan, ahead of his soon-to-be Gloucester teammate Dewi Lake as well as Aaron Wainwright.
Breakthrough Player of the Season
Nominees:
- Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby) 🏆 Winner
- Max Page (Scarlets)
- Huw Anderson (Dragons Rugby)
Old Dog, New Tricks Award
Nominees:
- Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
- Rhodri Williams (Dragons)
- Ollie Cracknell (Leicester Tigers) 🏆 Winner
Game of the Year
Nominees:
- Ospreys vs Connacht 🏆 Winner
- Scarlets away to the Lions (South Africa)
- Cardiff vs Munster (Arms Park)
Regional Player of the Year
Nominees:
- Keiran Williams (Ospreys)
- Jack Walsh (Ospreys)
- Alun Lawrence (Cardiff Rugby) 🏆 Winner
Most Improved Player
Nominees:
- Tom Rogers (Scarlets)
- Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby) 🏆 Winner
- Ryan Woodman (Dragons Rugby)
Welsh Player of the Year
Nominees:
- Dewi Lake (Ospreys)
- Aaron Wainwright (Dragons)
- Jack Morgan (Ospreys) 🏆 Winner
