The Rugby Players Association (RPA) has today announced the nominees for The Sanlam Young Player of the Year and RPA Players' Player of the Year. Gloucester Rugby have a nominee in both categories.

Ollie Thorley has made the shortlist for The Sanlam Young Player of the Year, while Danny Cipriani has done likewise for the RPA Players' Player of the Year. Both awards will be presented at the RPA Awards 2019 on Wednesday 8th May at the home of English rugby, Twickenham Stadium.

The Sanlam Young Player of the Year 2019

The Sanlam Young Player of the Year Award recognises the outstanding young player of the domestic season, as voted for by the players. Nominees must be 23 years or younger at the start of the season. The Young Player of the Year trophy is named after Harlequins and England scrum-half Nick Duncombe, who died tragically in 2003 from a rare form of blood poisoning, aged just 21.

Nominees: Joe Cokanasiga, Tom Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Rory Hutchinson and Ollie Thorley.

Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby): “I feel incredibly honoured and grateful to be nominated for the Young Player of the Year award by my fellow players. It’s been a great season with Bath and I look forward to the opportunities ahead.”

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks): “I’m extremely proud to be put forward for this award considering the amount of talent coming through the Premiership. It’s a huge honour to be recognised by my fellow professionals in this way.”

Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins): “It’s a great honour to be nominated for this huge award especially as it’s voted for my fellow players. I am extremely humbled, and my thanks must go to everyone at Harlequins who continue to drive me forward every day.”

Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints): “This is a huge honour to be nominated for this award, especially with the wealth of young talent we currently have in the Premiership. It’s a special feeling to have the support of my peers and it will definitely inspire me to continue improving.”

Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby): “It’s an absolute honour to be nominated for the RPA Young Player of the Year award. There are so many amazing young players coming through the competition currently and long may that continue. I’m enjoying every single moment of it.”

The RPA Players' Player of the Year 2019

The RPA Players' Player of the Year Award recognises the outstanding player of the domestic season as voted for by the players. It is the highest accolade in the English game.

Nominees: Danny Cipriani, Santiago Cordero, Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach and Henry Slade.

Danny Cipriani (Gloucester Rugby): “This is a big honour to be recognised in this way. I have enjoyed my first season with Gloucester and I am excited and motivated by what lies ahead. Thank you to my fellow players for the continued support."

Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs): “I can’t believe this nomination and I would like to thank all my fellow players for the support. I would also like to thank my Exeter teammates and club staff because without them I would not be where I am today.”

Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks): “It’s a massive honour to be nominated. There are so many outstanding players in the Premiership and to be up there nominated alongside four incredible guys means a lot. I feel extremely blessed.”

Cobus Reinach (Northampton Saints): “I am really humbled and honoured by this special nomination. I feel incredibly blessed for the support and I wish the other nominees the very best of luck.”

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs): “It’s the highest honour in our game to be nominated for the Players’ Player of the Year and I am extremely proud of the recognition shown to me. To be seen in this light by the guys you play against week in, week out, is a very special feeling and I must thank them for their support.”

RPA Awards 2019 – Young Player and Players’ Player nominees

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