Tom Wood receives Aviva Premiership Player of the Season Award – Rugby update
Northampton Saints flanker Tom Wood’s exceptional performance during the 2011 season has earned him an Aviva Premiership Player of the Season Award. Saints flanker received the award at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Awards ceremony held at Old Billingsgate
in central London on Tuesday May 10, 2011.
The England international overcame the challenge from his team-mate Brian Mujati, who was also nominated, while Saracens hooker Schalk Brits came in third behind the two Englishmen.
The 24-year-old has played an important role for Saints in both domestic and European campaigns as Saints propelled their way through to the Heineken Cup finals and the Aviva play-offs.
Saints will play Leinster at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday, May 21, in the final of the Heineken Cup. At the same time Saints are also scheduled in the Aviva play-offs match against the Leicester Tigers. Both teams will face each other during the
weekend on Saturday May 14, at Welford Road.
Wood so far has made 14 appearances for the Northampton Saints. Wood’s developed a crack in one of bones during the mid-April Aviva encounters. The Saints flanker has scored just five points in the season so far which includes a try.
However, Woods excellent ball handling skills, speed and tackle timings has helped the team to deliver some memorable performances during the season. His on field performance alongside his off field temperament made him the perfect team player.
Northampton Saints Director of rugby, Jim Mallinder, has rewarded Wood’s effective performance by giving him a long term stay at the Franklin Gardens. The new contract has secured Saints flanker future with the team until the summer of 2014.
Wood joined Saints in 2010 season as he signed a two-year deal enabling him to switch from Worcester.
Coventry born flanker and number eight is enjoying a fantastic season in which he has already made his international debut for England. Wood represented England national rugby union team in the RBS 2011 Six Nations. He debut came in England’s game against
the Wales at Cardiff in February 2011. Saints flanker also played an important role in England’s victories over the Italy and France during the RBS 2011 Six Nations.
Saints will be without Wood in their crunch knock out game in the next few weeks as he is slowly recovering from his injury.
Speaking on the occasion, Wood said, “'I knew I had a challenge to establish myself as a Saints player, especially with the quality players that we have in the back row, and everything else has been a bonus.”
Wood has also been included in the Aviva Premierships dream team, alongside his fellow Northampton Saints Players Ashton, Tonga'uiha, Mujati, and Lawes.
Aviva premiership dream team includes-
Dream Team: 15 M Brown (Harlequins); 14 D Strettle (Saracens), 13 M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), 12 A Allen (Leicester Tigers), 11 C Ashton (Northampton Saints); 10 J Gopperth (Newcastle Falcons), 9 D Care (Harlequins); 1 S Tonga'uiha (Northampton
Saints), 2 S Brits (Saracens), 3 B Mujati (Northampton Saints), 4 C Lawes (Northampton Saints), 5 T Hayes (Exeter Chiefs, capt), 6 T Wood (Northampton Saints), 7 J Burger (Saracens), 8 T Waldrom (Leicester Tigers).
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