Chiefs duo up for RPA's top prize

By Mark Stevens
2/5/18

Exeter Chiefs duo Don Armand and Sam Simmonds are on a five-man shortlist to be crowned the Rugby Players’ Association Players' Player of the Year for 2018.

Following outstanding displays for both the Chiefs and England this season, the pair will battle it out for the honours alongside Leicester Tigers full-back Telusa Veainu and Newcastle Falcons wingers Vereniki Goneva and Sinoti Sinoti.

Both Armand and Simmonds have been instrumental for the Chiefs this season, helping the Devon club to not only seal top spot in the Aviva Premiership and a home semi-final, but they have also excelled in Europe and on the international stage.

For Simmonds, it's his second nomination in as many days from the RPA, having been shortlisted on Tuesday for the Young Player of the Year accolade as well.

The prestigious prize will be presented at the upcoming RPA awards dinner which takes place on Wednesday, May 9 at Battersea Evolution in London.

On hearing of his nomination, Armand said: “It’s an unbelievably special award to be nominated for considering it’s voted by the guys we play week in week out. I am extremely grateful for the nomination and very thankful for their support.”

Equally, Simmonds is just as excited at being shortlisted alongside some of the Premiership's biggest names. He added: “To be recognised for such a distinguished award is an enormous feeling and I am so thankful for the support I have received from my fellow players. To also be nominated for the Young Player of the Year is a very proud feeling and all credit must go to my Exeter teammates and coaches.”