Ford wins Player of Season award

England and Bath fly-half George Ford has been crowned Aviva Premiership Player of the Season for 2014-15 to cap an outstanding year for club and country.

Ford has established himself as the World Cup hosts' first choice in the number 10 jersey ahead of Owen Farrell and has helped Bath reach the league play-offs for the first time since 2010.

The 22-year-old featured on a five-strong shortlist that included Wasps centre Elliot Daly and back row Nathan Hughes, Bath centre Jonathan Joseph and Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola.

The Ford household was given double reason to celebrate at the Premiership's glittering awards ceremony in central London after George's father Mike was named director of rugby of the season for his work at Bath.

"George is a worthy recipient of this year's player of the season award," Premiership Rugby's rugby director Phil Winstanley said.

"He has spear-headed an extremely talented backline at Bath and his control and composure at fly-half show a remarkable maturity for someone so young.

"This season he has cemented his position in the England team and we all hope he can take his fantastic form into the World Cup."

Exeter playmaker Henry Slade, who has been included in England's World Cup training squad, was unveiled as the Premiership's best under-23 player.

Powerful Fijian-born back row Hughes was named forward of the season while the Premiership dream team was dominated by Bath and Exeter.

Team of the season: A Watson (Bath Rugby); C Wade (Wasps), J Joseph (Bath Rugby), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), S Sinoti (Newcastle Falcons); G Ford (Bath Rugby), J Simpson (Wasps), M Mullan (Wasps), J George (Saracens), T Francis (Exeter Chiefs), G Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), D Mumm (Exeter Chiefs, capt), D Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), F Louw (Bath Rugby), N Hughes (Wasps).