Exiled Willis succeeds Dupont as Top 14 player of the season / Photo: © AFP/File
-
WhiteBIT Launches Bitcoin Lightning Network Support, Powered by Voltage
-
ONAR Advances Nasdaq Listing Preparation Following Advertise Purple Acquisition and Financing
-
Oil surges, stocks sink as US reportedly eyes fresh Iran strikes
-
Thailand opens extradition process for reporter sought by China
-
Anne Carson: modern takes on Greek classics
-
France struggles to wean social housing off gas
-
Canada's Anne Carson wins Nobel literature prize
-
Germany lifts GDP forecast as economy withstands Iran war
-
Ethiopia drones hit Eritrean troops in Tigray
-
Sri Lanka appoints Kusal Mendis as Test captain
-
Russian strike on buses kills 30 in frontline Ukrainian city
-
Norris confident McLaren can shine in Singapore
-
Thailand begins extradition process against Chinese journalist
-
Alex Bodi pushes ahead with expansion: ALIX LASERS showroom planned for Bucharest
-
Quarantine, unease and rumours: Russian city grapples with plague scare
-
Fossil fuels off COP31 agenda as global output keeps rising
-
Taiwan says exports hit record in September on AI demand
-
Haze not 'a threat' to Singapore F1 race: organisers
-
Marc Marquez vows to 'attack' Martin's lead at Indonesian MotoGP
-
COP31 organisers say to seek 'ambitious' action with their text
-
Diplomats, schools in Saudi take safety measures after blasts heard: sources to AFP
-
Bartunkova thrashes Muchova to reach China Open semi-finals
-
In Beijing, EU trade envoy says deficit with China 'unsustainable'
-
Drone hits Yandex data centre, in first such attack on Russia
-
Sri Lanka's de Silva quits as Test captain
-
Oil prices surge and stocks sink on fresh inflation worries
-
Alcaraz feeling 'mentally fresh' ahead of Shanghai return
-
AI startup Manus raises $500m after Meta acquisition blocked by China
-
Israel drastically reduces British diplomatic presence in Jerusalem
-
From refuge to repatriations: Malaysia's Myanmar U-turn
-
Stocks fall further as oil surge fans fresh inflation worries
-
Morikawa says LIV players face 'business decision' after Rahm exit
-
North Korea demands South show 'utmost respect' to restore relations
-
Tenzing Norgay's son says Himalayas sending climate warning
-
Saudi says three dead in airport attacks claimed by Houthis
-
On your bike! Bottas opts for two wheels to reach Singapore GP
-
'Mad dream': New showcase for African film opens in London
-
Alcaraz, Sinner, Osaka commit to Australian Open '1 Point Slam'
-
All Blacks coach Rennie says Wallabies exit 'part of the game'
-
Dodgers beat Braves to advance in MLB playoffs, Rays oust Yankees
-
The growing protests against India's poll body - and PM Modi
-
'A sun as black as my lungs': how corruption crucified a polluted Albania city
-
Stocks fall further as oil spike fans fresh inflation worries
-
The British historian helping the French rediscover de Gaulle
-
Bad COP, worse COP? EU tempers hopes for UN climate summit
-
Dodgers beat Braves to advance, Guardians survive in MLB playoffs
-
Rookie Henry named in Wallabies midfield to face All Blacks
-
Latin American, Caribbean women top Nobel literature buzz
-
Housing crisis set to dominate Spain's snap election
-
US says Fiji-based Chinese official paid bribes for Beijing
Exiled Willis succeeds Dupont as Top 14 player of the season
Exiled England flanker Jack Willis succeeded France scrum-half Antoine Dupont as the French Top 14's player of the season for 2024/2025 on Monday.
Willis claimed the award having helped Toulouse to a record-extending 24th French title with Dupont out injured, scoring two tries in June's final.
The 28-year-old joined Toulouse in 2022 after Wasps went into administration but is unable to add to his 15 England caps as he plays his club rugby abroad.
Willis pipped his team-mate Thomas Ramos, who kicked 24 points last season's Top 14 decider, and Bayonne's Fiji centre Sireli Maqala to the award.
"I want to thank all my team-mates," Willis said.
"They're not just great players but great guys.
"The past three years have been a dream for me," he added.
The back-rower became the first English winner since ex-Montpellier No 8 Zach Mercer in 2022, with Dupont having secured the prize each year since then.
Bordeaux-Begles winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey took the France international award having blitzed to 12 tries in eight Tests last season as Les Bleus lifted the Six Nations Grand Slam.
Toulon winger Gael Drean scooped the breakthrough player of the season award while Montauban full-back Jerome Bosviel claimed the Pro D2 prize having guided the club to promotion to the Top 14.
No 8 Teani Feleu clinched the France women's player of the season gong after Les Bleues finished fourth the Rugby World Cup.
Bordeaux lock Madoussou Fall-Raclot won the Elite 1 award having helped her club to a third-straight league triumph.
P.Staeheli--VB
