Premiership Player of the Year shortlist revealed

Christian Wade has been shortlisted to be named Premiership Player of the Year.
The London Wasps flyer, who has been in outstanding form this season scoring 11 league tries, is tipped to be a surprise addition to the British and Irish Lions squad which is named next week.
Wade will battle with Tom Youngs, Julian Salvi (both Leicester), Danny Care (Harlequins), Akapusi Qera (Gloucester) and Steve Borthwick (Saracens) in a six man race to follow the footsteps of Harlequins and England captain Chris Robshaw.
Tom Youngs, who already picked up the Tigers‘ Players’ Player award last week, has not only established himself as Leicester’s starting hooker this season but he also became the best in his position in the country following a successful Six Nations campaign.
Youngs’ teammate Julian Salvi, who is the only survivor from the 2011-2012 shortlist, also enjoyed a superb season confirming his status as the best openside flanker in the Premiership earning countless penalties and turnovers for the Midlands side, who are already qualified for their ninth consecutive Premiership play-offs.
Driven to become England’s scrum-half, Danny Care has been in the thick of things for Quins improving his distribution game while being as threatening as ever around the breakdown.
In the middle of an impressive team performance against Ulster earlier this month, Steve Borthwick was the stand out performer as his one-man demolition job of the Irish lineout saw Saracens progress to the Heineken Cup semi-finals. His leadership qualities also helped the 2011 Premiership champions back to the top of the Premiership table making them favourites to claim their second title in three seasons.
Finally, flying Fijian Akapusi Qera’s ball carrying abilities helped Gloucester play on the front foot to release an exciting back line but his work rate was also a key feature in the Cherry and Whites’ defence.
The winner of the coveted award will be presented on May 9 in London where nine other awards will be announced including the Director of Rugby and Try of the Season.
“We are delighted to see the Aviva Premiership Rugby Awards continue to grow, and to see it sold out again with weeks to go is a testament to the appeal of the event,” said Phil Winstanley, the Rugby Director at Premiership Rugby.
“We have enjoyed another breathtaking season on the pitch with so many matches going down to the wire. The length of the deliberations for the awards reflects the current standard of Aviva Premiership Rugby – we had so many compelling candidates.”
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