Premiership Rugby Awards: Henry Slade Named Player Of The Season

Exeter Chiefs' talismanic centre Henry Slade has been named Gallagher Player of the Season at the Premiership Rugby Awards.

Slade, 31, saw several long-standing teammates depart Devon last summer but has thrived on the responsibility of leading the rebuild at Sandy Park.

He finished as the Gallagher Premiership's top point-scorer across 2023/24 with 155, ensuring he was a double award winner on the night, and has been the man for the big occasion for Chiefs throughout the campaign.

A last-gasp kick to win a nail-biting Round 6 clash against Gloucester Rugby at Sandy Park was one of several clutch moments he nailed from the tee both on domestic and European duty across the season while Slade also crossed for five Gallagher Premiership tries.

The centre's fine form in an Exeter shirt also meant he played himself back into an England jersey. Having missed out on selection for the World Cup, Slade made himself a must-pick for the Guinness Six Nations through his club performances and was an ever-present in England's midfield.

"I'm pretty speechless," he said. "I never in a million years thought I'd be up for it in the first place, let alone win it, especially with the calibre of the guys I was up against.

"The league this season has been a great advert for the game of rugby and I was really pleased to be nominated in the first place. This is really special - I don't win these sort of awards. I'm really happy."

Slade follows in the footsteps of his fellow England centre Ollie Lawrence, who picked up the 2022/23 prize, in being named Gallagher Player of the Season.

He held off strong competition from fellow nominees Courtney Lawes and Fin Smith, who helped Northampton Saints finish top of the regular season table, and Bath Rugby star Finn Russell.