Rugby’s brightest stars gathered in the Principality of Monaco over the weekend for the World Rugby Awards. Princess Charlene, the new president of the Monaco Rugby Federation, was at the helm of the event, honouring celebrated players such as France’s Antoine Dupont and bringing a touch of glamour to the sport’s biggest awards night of the year.

On Sunday 24th November, professional rugby players from around the world headed to the famous Salle des Étoiles venue for an evening of celebration and recognition of today’s greatest talents.

Presided over by Princess Charlene of Monaco, who recently became President of the Monaco Rugby Federation, the event underscored the Principality’s commitment to promoting the sport and its values both locally and abroad.

Among those honoured at the event were France’s Antoine Dupont and Australia’s Maddison Levi, who received their respective awards for Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens Player of the Year from the Princess. With this new accolade, Dupont has become only the second player ever to win both the Rugby XVs and Sevens Player of the Year titles.

Other winners on the night included Pieter-Steph du Toit of South Africa, who was named World Rugby Player of the Year for the second time; England’s Ellie Kildunne, who received the Women’s Player of the Year award; and Jérôme Daret of France, who was lauded as World Rugby Coach of the Year. He is the first Sevens coach to receive the honour.

France also dominated in other categories, with Nolann Le Garrec and Marine Ménager winning International Rugby Players Men’s and Women’s Try of the Year awards. Both Le Garrec’s try against England in the Six Nations and Ménager’s effort against Canada stood out as exceptional moments of the past rugby season.

To see more photographs from the awards ceremony, click on the images below:

 

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Princess Charlene becomes new President of the Monegasque Rugby Federation

 

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Left to right in main photo: Ugo Monye, Brian O’Driscoll, Antoine Dupont and Princess Charlene of Monaco

Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco