England flanker Henry Pollock has been named on the four-player shortlist for the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year. The 20-year-old Northampton forward earned selection for the British and Irish Lions’ summer tour of Australia after scoring two tries on his international debut against Wales in March. He did not appear in a Lions Test but has added three more England caps this autumn, including a try in the 25-7 victory over the Wallabies on 1 November. If he wins, Pollock would be the first English recipient of the Breakthrough award since team-mate Maro Itoje in 2016.
The other nominees for Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year are:
– Fabian Holland (New Zealand) — Dutch-born lock
– Ethan Hooker (South Africa) — wing
– Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Australia) — back
In the main Men’s 15s Player of the Year category, France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey is among the nominees after being named player of the tournament in the 2025 Six Nations, where he set a record with eight tries. The 22-year-old could become France’s fourth winner following Fabien Galthie (2002), Thierry Dusautoir (2011) and Antoine Dupont (2021).
Reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit is shortlisted again and is joined by South African team-mates Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche. Du Toit, who previously won the award in 2019, would become only the third player to win it three times — after Dan Carter and Richie McCaw — and the first Springbok to reach that mark if he retains the title.
Winners of both awards will be announced on Saturday, 22 November 2025.
Full World Rugby Awards 2025 nominees (selected categories):
Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year
– Fabian Holland (New Zealand)
– Ethan Hooker (South Africa)
– Henry Pollock (England)
– Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Australia)
Men’s 15s Player of the Year
– Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
– Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
– Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
– Ox Nche (South Africa)
Men’s 15s Try of the Year
– Santiago Cordero (Argentina) v British and Irish Lions — June
– Santiago Pedrero (Chile) v Samoa — RWC 2027 qualifier, October
– Lekima Tagitagivalu (Fiji) v Australia — July
– Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand) v France — July