Carre and Keight win top Welsh rugby awards

Rhys Carre and Courtney Keight have been given the year's top accolades by the Welsh Rugby Writers' Association (WRWA).

Saracens prop Carre and Sale centre Keight have been recognised with respective men's and women's player of the season awards after impressive performances during struggling campaigns for both national sides.

The WRWA men's list of honour features the likes of Sir Gareth Edwards, Barry John, JPR Williams, Phil Bennett, Jonathan Davies, Scott Gibbs, Ieuan Evans, Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley, Martyn Williams, Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Alun Wyn Jones, Aaron Wainwright and 2025 winner Jac Morgan.

Carre, 28, is the first prop to win the WRWA men's trophy since former Wales and British & Irish Lions great Gethin Jenkins in 2009.

Cardiff centre Steffan Emanuel was named as Wales men's young player of the year, while scrum-half Seren Lockwood won the women's accolade.

Ebbw Vale and Canada flanker Sion Parry was named Super Rygbi Cymru player of the season.

Carre took home the prestigious award after playing 11 of Wales' 12 Tests in the 2025-26 season and scoring three tries in three successive Tests in the 2026 Six Nations.

"It's a bit surreal. I didn't think this would be something I could achieve," said Carre.

"It's pretty cool and I just feel honoured that the Welsh rugby media think I deserve it."

Carre's try run included a brilliant Six Nations solo score in Dublin, which was named the 2026 try of the Championship and followed Carre's previous scores against France and Scotland.

The loose-head prop also crossed in the summer's Nations Championship win over Fiji.

He revealed his stunning try against Ireland means he still gets stopped in the street by fans.

"It's a special memory," said Carre. "There aren't many Welsh people around where I live in St Albans, but there are a few and if I bump into them, people want to shake my hand, say congratulations and thank me for scoring that try."

Carre made his Wales debut in August 2019 and was a shock selection for that year's World Cup in Japan where he was the youngest member of the squad. He helped Warren Gatland's side to a fourth-place finish.

Four years later, Carre was dropped on the eve of the 2023 tournament in France by then head coach Gatland for failing to meet fitness targets.

He was recalled by current boss Steve Tandy for the autumn series of 2025 and is looking forward to continuing his form with both Saracens and Wales in 2026-27.

"Since I came back into the Wales squad, we've been in a rebuilding stage but we've shown steady progression since then," said Carre.

"We're showing the people of Wales we're slowly getting better and becoming more competitive in games. It takes a while for a team to come together.

"If I keep going the way I'm going, I'll be happy. It'd be good to hopefully get to the World Cup.

"It's been eight years since my first one, which is crazy to say."

Versatile back Keight enjoyed a strong year to establish herself in Wales' midfield.

After three starts at the 2025 World Cup, the 28-year-old from Tenby was an ever-present at inside centre during the Six Nations.

Strong-running Keight will switch to 13 for Friday's WXV opener against South Africa at Cardiff Arms Park.

She has established herself as a key member of Sean Lynn's side after coming late to rugby while studying at the University of Swansea.

"It's such a nice feeling to know that if you work hard, you can get to where you want to go," said Keight.

"Going to university I knew I wanted to try something different and be in an environment where I was challenged and accepted – rugby was exactly that."