England star Meg Jones named first-ever Premiership Women's Rugby Player of the Season

Leicester Tigers and England playmaker Meg Jones has scooped the inaugural Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) Player of the Season award.

Jones, who is currently preparing to make a second appearance at the Olympic Games with Great Britain, beat runners-up Emma Sing, Sarah Beckett and May Campbell to claim the prize, which was voted for by media.

It is reward for a fine debut season with Leicester, in which she scored 69 points and shone in a team that struggled for form, finishing bottom of the nine-team table.

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Jones was also able to cement her place in John Mitchell’s Red Roses side, starting four of England’s five Guinness Women’s Six Nations matches and scoring three tries as they claimed another Grand Slam.

“For the first time ever, we’re doing end of season awards to recognise the extraordinary contribution made by our players,” PWR chief executive Belinda Moore said.

“The Allianz PWR Player of the Year award has been voted for by the media most closely connected to our game. They have chosen a player who despite a challenging season, has been an absolute standout for their club and [Leicester’s] leading points scorer too.

“I’m absolutely delighted to say the first ever PWR Player of the Year award goes to Meg Jones.”

News of Jones’ award came hours after Gloucester-Hartpury forward Steph Else was named PWR Young Player of the Season.

Else enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Kingsholm, making 13 league appearances, including a second-half cameo in last weekend’s PWR final, as Gloucester-Hartpury retained their title.

The back row received the gong ahead of runners-up Sadia Kabeya, Reneeqa Bonner, Maisy Allen and team-mate Georgia Brock.

It capped a fine day for Else, having also been named as one of four Gloucester-Hartpury players in the England squad for next month’s Six Nations Women’s Summer Series in Italy.

Else was joined in the squad selected by England U20 women’s head coach LJ Lewis and her assistant Sarah McKenna by club-mates Jorja Battishill, Lola Whitley and Millie Hyett.

The Women’s Summer Series is an age-grade tournament, predominantly featuring under-20 players. England are due to play Ireland, Wales and France in Parma.