Willis shortlisted to retain Top 14 Player of the Year in bid to match Dupont feat

Jack Willis is in contention to become only the second player in history to retain the Top 14 Player of the Season award, after the Toulouse flanker was shortlisted for the prize for a second successive year ahead of the Ligue Nationale de Rugby’s Nuit du Rugby ceremony in Paris on 28 September.

The former England international faces competition from Bordeaux-Bègleès fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and ASM Clermont-Auvergne’s All Black Harry Plummer. Willis claimed the award last season and would join his Toulouse team-mate Antoine Dupont in an exclusive bracket if he retains it — Dupont won back-to-back honours in 2023 and 2024. A second victory would also make Willis only the second player to win the award more than once; Dupont is a three-time recipient, having first triumphed in 2021.

The 29-year-old built a compelling case across another title-winning campaign with Toulouse, captaining the club on occasions and delivering a standout performance in their Top 14 final victory over Montpellier. Willis made 17 tackles and won four turnovers as Toulouse prevailed 28-20 at the Stade de France.

Despite his consistent form at club level, Willis remains ineligible for England selection under the RFU’s overseas player policy — a situation that has done nothing to diminish his standing among French rugby’s leading performers.

The LNR will present 13 awards in total at the Nuit du Rugby, with winners determined through a combination of votes from players, coaches, referees, and the public. Other nominees across the categories include Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Thomas Ramos for the French international player award, while Toulouse’s own coaching staff are shortlisted in the Top 14 staff category alongside Montpellier and Pau.