Tommy Reffell clinches Premiership Rugby Cup Breakthrough Player Award

Leicester Tigers flanker Tommy Reffell has been named the Premiership Rugby Cup Player of the season after a public vote.

Reffell has overcome competition from Aaron Hinckley, Gabriel Ibitoye, Sean Reffell, Ollie Lawrence, Manu Vunipola, Will Capon, Fraser Dingwall, Will Evans and Ben Loader.

Reffell was named in the shortlist following his performance in the Round 3 clash against Bath Rugby and has put in an impressive shift in defence, making 18 tackles – a tally only five players could better across Round Three – and winning a round-high three turnovers for his side.

After starting in all four games in the pool stage, Reffell also featured in 10 Gallagher Premiership games this season where he had an impressive 97% tackle success rate heading into Round 13 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby action.

“I am surprised to have won,” he said. “There are a lot of very talented players on that list, a lot that I played against in the tournament, and to get the award is special.

“With the season being the way it was this year, the Premiership Rugby Cup was a big chunk at the start that gave me the confidence coming into the senior environment.

“Ahead of the start of the Premiership campaign I thought the Premiership Rugby Cup was really good for my development.

“As a young player, all you want to do is get on the field and just play rugby. You do a lot of weights sessions, you do a lot of meetings, but ultimately you want to just go out and play.”

Capon of Bristol Bears and Northampton's Dingwall finished second and third respectively in the fan voting.