Itoje claims 'Land Rover Discovery of the Season' award

Saracens’ and England forward Maro Itoje has been announced winner of the ‘Land Rover Discovery of The Season’ award for the 2015/16 season.

Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover UK presented Itoje with his accolade at this season’s Aviva Premiership Rugby awards, which were held at Hilton Park Lane, London.

The Land Rover Discovery of the Season award is designed to recognise the most impressive young player in Aviva Premiership Rugby each season and reward them for their outstanding contribution to the competition. Itoje follows in the footsteps of some notable names, with the likes of Exeter Chiefs’ Henry Slade, Saracens’ team mate Billy Vunipola and Wasps’ second row Joe Launchbury.

To celebrate his achievement, Itoje will have the opportunity to become a Land Rover ambassador. Former ‘Land Rover Discovery of The Season’ award winners Henry Slade and Billy Vunipola took up this opportunity and continue to be supported by Land Rover, as part of its commitment to the sport and its players.

To decide the winner of this season’s award, a panel of national rugby journalists and former England prop David Flatman, were responsible for naming the shortlist of six players and subsequent winner. Itoje may have come out on top but he came up against strong competition from Harlequins’ forward Jack Clifford, Sale Sharks’ centre Sam James, Leicester Tigers’ hooker Harry Thacker and Northampton Saints’ duo Harry Mallinder and Paul Hill.

Saracens’ academy graduate, Itoje has enjoyed rugby honours on the way to being named this season’s Land Rover Discovery of The Season; he captained the England U20’s side in the 2013-14 season and was most recently part of this year’s RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam winning England side, as well as playing a vital role in Saracens winning the European Rugby Champions Cup last weekend.

Upon receiving the award Itoje commented: “It has been an incredible season and to be named the Land Rover Discovery of The Season award winner is very humbling, especially when I look at the names that were nominated on the shortlist. I have been very fortunate to represent two great sides this season; Saracens and England. To win titles alongside your team mates and be in a position to receive awards like this is truly special and something I am lucky to be able to enjoy at such an early stage in my rugby career.”

Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director Jaguar Land Rover UK added: “Maro has enjoyed an exceptional season; England honours and success with Saracens. His Land Rover Discovery of The Season award is fully deserved and is testament to his performances on the rugby pitch that have been nothing short of outstanding.  At Land Rover we are proud to support rugby at all levels, through grassroots rugby initiatives like the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup all the way to the highest level of the game. Identifying and rewarding players like Maro for their contribution to the sport, is incredibly important.”