Owen Farrell in contention for the discovery of the year award – Rugby News Update
The 20-year-old fly-half, Owen Andrew Farrell, has been shortlisted for the Land Rover discovery of the season award on the back of an impressive season for the Saracens’ in the Premiership. Rugby is in Owen’s DNA, as his father Andy also played professional
rugby for England.
The six-man shortlist was chosen by a panel which includes Josh Lewsey, a legend of the sport along with being a World Cup Winner. He was quick to praise the rising stars in England, but he gave a special mention to the England head coach.
"England's new head coach Stuart Lancaster has instilled the correct culture for which they know that if they perform both on and importantly off the field, they will get their chance," He said. "All six of these young men epitomise that value set,” he went
on to add further.
There are five other players besides Farrell who have been shortlisted for the prize, which will be announced at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Awards. The players who qualify for the Land Rover discovery of the season award have to be 21 or under on the final
day of the Premiership.
Two players from the Wasps have made it onto the list – Joe Launchbury and Christian Wade. The other three players on the list are Matt Kvesic who plays for the Worcester Warriors; Jonathan Joseph of the London Irish and Luke Wallace of the Harlequins is
the final name.
All of these players have had an impressive campaign, especially Wade, who is currently second on the try-list for this season in the Premiership. All others have put in exceptional performances, and it will be a close race.
Josh Lewsey also spoke about the other people on list by saying, "The shortlist gives us a huge range of players from gun dogs like Matt Kvesic, nuggety players like Luke Wallace and the obvious mental fortitude of a guy like Owen Farrell.”
He reserved special mention for the London Wasps’ shortlisted players. Josh said, “I was delighted to see two players from London Wasps make the shortlist, after performing as they have, in adversity."
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