The Professional Rugby Players’ Association (PRA) today announced their nominees for domestic rugby’s ultimate accolade, the PRA Computacenter Players’ Player of the Year.

In the only domestic awards voted for by the players, Sebastien Chabal and Mark Cueto (both of Sale Sharks), Martin Corry and Andy Goode (both of Leicester Tigers) and Worcester Warriors’ Pat Sanderson have all been recognised by their peers as the outstanding performers for their clubs this season.  

Inaugural PRA Players’ Player of the Year in 1999, Neil Back said, “As a previous winner of the award, I can say what a tribute it is to be nominated by your piers.” On his fellow back row partner, Martin Corry he said, “Martin is an extremely worthy candidate; he has really stepped up to the mark this season. The way that he has been playing for both club and country has really marked him out as a stand up performer.” On Leicester fly-half he said, “ Leicester have probably had the form backline in the Premiership this season, and Andy Goode has been an integral part of that.”  

Leicester ’s dominant form in the Zurich Premiership and the Heineken Cup has also been reflected in the voting for the PRA Mercedes-Benz Young Player of the Year, where Harry Ellis and Ollie Smith are both included in the short list. They are joined by Leeds Tykes’ Chris Bell, Newcastle Falcons’ Mathew Tait and Bath Rugby’s Matt Stevens.  

Damian Hopley , PRA CEO said, “This year’s nominees have all made consistently outstanding contributions to their respective club teams over this long season and thoroughly deserve the recognition of their peers. It is also very encouraging to see the high quality of the young English players nominated for Young Player of the Year, which bodes well for the future of both the domestic and national game. This year’s PRA Awards promises to be another spectacular night in the company of the players, whilst raising valuable income for the PRA Benevolent Fund, which helps players who have had to retire from the game through serious injury or illness.”  

The PRA Computacenter Rugby Players’ Awards 2005 will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London , on Wednesday 11^th May. A limited number of tables are still available for this event.

For more information, please contact Maiden Management Tele: (020 7610 6234) info@maidenmanagement.com

 The Awards Categories & Nominations are as follows:- 

PRA Computacenter Players’ Player of the Year:

1. Sebastien Chabal ( Sale Sharks) 2. Martin Corry ( Leicester Tigers) 3. Mark Cueto ( Sale Sharks) 4. Andy Goode ( Leicester Tigers) 5. Pat Sanderson ( Worcester Warriors)    

PRA Mercedes-Benz Young Player of the Year:

1. Chris Bell ( Leeds Tykes) 2. Harry Ellis ( Leicester Tigers) 3. Ollie Smith ( Leicester Tigers) 4. Matt Stevens ( Bath Rugby ) 5. Mathew Tait ( Newcastle Falcons)  

PRA Premier Rugby Highlight of the Season

This Award celebrates a moment of individual brilliance or an outstanding team performance within the domestic calendar.

PRA Kingston Smith Special Merit Award

This Award recognises an outstanding contribution over the past season by an individual player as voted for by the Management Board of the PRA

The Blyth Spirit Award Sponsored by THB Clowes

This Award is given to an individual who has shown remarkable courage in the face of adversity.

The Daily Telegraph Readers Try of the Year

Voted for by the readers of the Daily Telegraph and announced at the awards ceremony

PRA Gerrard Hall of Fame Inductions

The inductees are selected by the Management Board of the PRA and represent the legends of the game, who have made an outstanding contribution to the game in their time and have been retired from international rugby for a minimum of 3 years

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