Premiership Player of the Year shortlist

Premiership Rugby today confirmed the shortlist for Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Season.
Leading the list is Worcester full-back Chris Pennell who has been a stand out performer in a Warriors side that struggled all season and are heading to the Championship next season.
England and Harlequins full-back Mike Brown could had to his Six Nations’ Player of Tournament while Sale captain Dan Braid, who spearheaded the Sharks resurgence this season, also makes the shortlist.
Bruisers Jacques Burger and Samu Manoa are the other two forwards on the list on the back of two barn-storming seasons for Saracens and Northampton.
Finally, Leicester’s flying Fijian Vereniki Goneva complete the list after a season that saw him top the try scoring chart.
“There were a number of compelling candidates for this prestigious title and it was very difficult to reduce it to a six-man shortlist,” said Premiership Rugby Director Phil Winstanley. “I think the panel managed to arrive at a very balanced list, forwards and backs side by side.
“We’ve had an incredible season so far, and the length of the deliberations for the awards reflects the current standard of Aviva Premiership Rugby. The closeness of the matches is reflected in the fact that no one club has more than one player on the shortlist.”
The winner will be announced at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Awards at the Hilton, Park Lane on 15 May.