The TRU 2015-16 Aviva Premiership awards

The Aviva Premiership regular season is over and although the playoffs now loom large on the horizon, it’s time to dole out some awards.

Unfortunately, all recipients were unable to attend in person due to prior commitments, lack of awareness or just complete indifference, but don’t let that detract from just how prestigious these gongs are.

With no further ado, let the TRU 2015/16 Premiership Awards begin…

Breakthrough Player of the Season – Harry Mallinder

After being parachuted into a struggling Northampton Saints first team midway through the season, no single player transformed the club’s fortunes like Mallinder. He helped the club defy the odds and make it out of their Champions Cup pool, as well as spearheading their march towards the Premiership playoffs.

Saints may have lost in the Champions Cup quarter-final (notably with Mallinder on the bench and not in the XV…) and just missed out on the Premiership top four, but they look a much stronger team for the ‘16/17 season with Mallinder at their core.

Signing of the Season – George Smith

This could easily have gone to Smith’s teammate at Wasps, Charles Piutau, or to one of the Leicester duo of Telusa Veainu and Peter Betham, but ultimately no one’s impact has been quite as significant as that of the venerable flanker.

Smith was the icing on top of the cake which turned Wasps from a side offering plenty of promise over the last season or two, to one which has booked a Premiership semi-final and made real waves among the elite of Europe in the Champions Cup. His loss will be hard for Wasps to deal with next season.

Unlikely Hero of the Season – Andy Goode

This won’t go down too well in Reading and the surrounding areas but Goode’s decision to come out of retirement and ride to Newcastle’s aid when Mike Delany went down injured, may be the reason that the Falcons aren’t facing a stint in the Greene King IPA Championship.

His source of points from the boot and steadying influence at fly-half were vital for Newcastle in that period and one can only wonder how long it will be before we see a statue of Goode and his flowing locks outside Kingston Park.

Biggest Overachievers – Sale Sharks

Worcester Warriors came close to pipping Sale to this, having secured their Premiership status with a few rounds still to go in the season, but once again Sale have punched above their weight and kept competitive with the big boys of English rugby.

The job Steve Diamond does in the North-West cannot be praised enough and with a few bigger names heading to the AJ Bell Stadium this summer, it will be interesting to see how high Sale can go next season.

Biggest Underperformers – Bath

London Irish would seem to be a lock here for many people, but it is not that surprising that they were in a relegation battle this season given their squad and the fact they had a new director of rugby at the helm. Bath, on the other hand, were expected to back-up their Premiership final appearance from last season with another concerted push on the title.

Instead, they’ve wallowed in mid-table all season and even threatened to get themselves embroiled in the relegation battle at one point. It’s been a dire season on and off the pitch for Bath and they take this award at a canter.

Best Unit of the Season – Exeter Chiefs’ lineout

With Luke Cowan-Dickie or Jack Yeandle throwing in, Geoff Parling or Mitch Lees taking the ball and the ever-present Thomas Waldrom ready to direct the maul, Exeter’s lineout has savaged teams this season. It’s arguably the most significant factor behind the Chiefs’ place in the playoffs this season, as well as the reason that Waldrom sits atop the Premiership try scorers table with 13. Saracens’ engine room, Leicester’s back three and Sale’s front row would have all also been worthwhile winners.

Player of the Season – Owen Farrell

The public praise for the Smiths, Piutaus and Itojes of the league may have been overflowing this season – and rightfully so – but Farrell has had one hell of a campaign. The fly-half has looked every inch the instinctive and ambitious playmaker that his detractors have long-insisted he could never be, whilst also retaining the defensive edge and game management skills which have seen him earn 40 England caps to date.

If Farrell supporters are Mods and George Ford supporters are Rockers, The Who just went to number one this season.

XV of the Season

15. Charles Piutau, Wasps
14. Christian Wade, Wasps
13. Duncan Taylor, Saracens
12. Ryan Mills, Worcester Warriors
11. Semesa Rokoduguni, Bath
10. Owen Farrell, Saracens
9. Will Chudley, Exeter Chiefs
1. Ross Harrison, Sale Sharks
2. Harry Thacker, Leicester Tigers
3. Dan Cole, Leicester Tigers
4. Maro Itoje, Saracens
5. George Kruis, Saracens
6. Teimana Harrison, Northampton Saints
7. George Smith, Wasps
8. Thomas Waldrom, Exeter Chiefs