Slade scoops RPA award

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs star Henry Slade has capped a memorable season off by winning the LV= Young Player of the Year award at the RPA Players’ Awards 2015 held in London on Wednesday night.

The young playmaker has been a virtual ever-present in Rob Baxter's plan this season and his on-field craft was duly rewarded by his peers at the star-studded event.

Bath centre Jonathan Joseph secured a tremendous double being crowned both the RPA Players’ Player of the Year and The England Player of the Year 2015 in association with Rhead Group.

On a night where 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, Jonny Wilkinson, became the latest inductee into the RPA Hall of Fame in association with KPMG, Joseph polled the most number of votes from his fellow players to complete a memorable night for the 23-year-old.

Other notable winners included Alex Gray as HSBC England Sevens Player of the Year 2015 and Rochelle Clark named The Sunday Times England Women’s Player of the Year 2015.

Slade, who is also in the running for the Aviva Premiership's Young Player of the Year award alongside Jack Nowell, saw off the challenge of Bath trio Joseph, Anthony Watson and George Ford, as well as Saracens lock Maro Itoje.

Commenting on his award, Slade said: “Obviously I’m delighted to have picked up the Young Player of the Year award. To be seen by your peers as the number one choice for an award like this is a huge honour and something I will certainly cherish.

“When you look down at some of the names on the trophy, it’s very rewarding to see my name alongside so many great rugby players.

“It’s been another fantastic year, not only for me personally, but also the Chiefs as well. To be fighting on so many different fronts has been very exciting and going into this last week of the season it’s brilliant that we still have so much to fight for.”