Damian Penaud has become the latest in a long line of coveted stars to scoop the award thanks to an unmatched 2024/25 season in club rugby’s greatest competition.
It was an unforgettable Final that will undoubtedly become an instant classic, but it was Penaud who shone brighter than most at the Principality.
But most importantly, his performances go far deeper than his exploits in Cardiff.
While he went over twice in the first-half in the Final, Penaud had already secured the record for the most about of tries scored in a single edition of the Investec Champions Cup when he crossed for the 12th time against Munster Rugby in the quarter-final.
Another record-breaking performance came in the pool stages in UBB’s Round 4, 66-12 demonstration against the Hollywoodbets Sharks. The Frenchman went over six times in that one – a record for a single match in the Investec Champions Cup.
And it’s not just on the try front that Penaud brought his fair share of contributions. First in the leaderboards for clean breaks and assists heading into the Final, Penaud wholeheartedly transformed UBB’s Investec Champions Cup campaign in 2024/25.
In being recognised for his incredible season, Penaud becomes the third Frenchman in a row to be given the accolade, following in the footsteps of Antoine Dupont (2024) and Gregory Alldritt (2023).
A truly well-deserved award, Penaud’s stellar season has gone a long way in UBB’s win in this year’s competition.
Src: keo.co.za
