Gloucester's Jac Morgan signing named best of the summer by Gallagher Premiership directors

Jac Morgan’s switch from the Ospreys to Gloucester has been named the best summer signing in the Gallagher Premiership, according to an anonymous survey of the league’s ten Directors of Rugby conducted ahead of the new season.

The Wales captain and flanker was the clear consensus pick among his peers’ coaches, edging out a competitive field that included Alfie Barbeary’s move from Bath to Saracens and Nicky Smith’s transfer from Leicester to Sale Sharks — two deals that also drew significant praise from respondents.

Fellow Welshman Tomos Williams was the only other player to attract multiple votes for best signing, recognised for his move in the opposite direction — from Gloucester to Saracens.

When asked to identify the league’s best current player, most DoRs backed Bath fly-half Finn Russell, with the Scotsman narrowly ahead of Leicester lock Ollie Chessum and Northampton’s Fin Smith. Russell also topped the individual category polls, named best playmaker by 50 per cent of respondents.

The full category results from the survey were as follows: best scrummager — Joe Heyes (60%); best playmaker — Finn Russell (50%); best tackler — Sam Underhill (50%); fastest player — Louis Rees-Zammit (50%); best lineout forward — Ollie Chessum (40%); best finisher — Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (40%); best leader — Maro Itoje (40%).

Looking ahead to the Player of the Season award for 2026/27, Fin Smith was the most frequently nominated candidate, with Northampton Saints widely tipped to lift the Premiership trophy and claim a third title in four seasons.

Six of the ten directors predicted Newcastle Red Bulls would be the most improved side in the division, with Sale Sharks and Saracens also receiving mentions.

On the laws of the game, the DoRs were split between two priorities: stricter enforcement of the offside line and reform of the goal-line drop-out finished level as the changes most desired by those running the league’s clubs.