The Rugby Paper Awards 2019: Which youngster deserves recognition?

We're looking for your Young Player of the Year to honour in our inaugural Rugby Paper Awards.

Youth has had a wonderful season in rugby. In 20-year-old openside Tom Curry and 21-year-old wing Joe Cokanasiga, England have found two uncut diamonds who are clearly only going to get better and make more of an impact as we move towards the in .

Elsewhere 's sparky scrum-half Alex Mitchell, 21, has been a big influence behind Saints' revival, as highlighted by his match-winning try at last week.

Talking of Harlequins, back rower Alex Dombrandt, 21, has been one of the finds of the season. He was recruited by former DoR John Kingston in the latter half of last season as an unknown but came into the side around October and has been a revelation at the Stoop.  

The list goes on: Quins' fly-half Marcus Smith, Northampton Saints flanker Lewis Ludlum, back rower Zach Mercer and Falcons' flanker Callum Chick.

How to vote

Make your choice(s) and email to awards@therugbypaper.co.uk or post to Awards, The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St George's Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU

So will any of these figure in your votes for our Young Player of the Year, where all Under 23-year-olds are eligible, whether male – or female? Such as England prop Sarah Bern, 21, who side-stepped her way to a sensational try against in the .

Or Harlequins speedster Jessica Breach who has continued her meteorical international career after announcing herself with six tries against Canada in 2017.

Perhaps a young player lower down the leagues has caught your eye. Make sure we know about them.

The Young Player of the Year Award is sponsored by Raging Bull, an authentic menswear brand founded by rugby legend and World Cup winner Phil Vickery MBE. 

The brand offers customers high quality and well-designed clothing to fit all shapes and sizes from scrum-half to front row.

In contrast to the glorious young talent just mentioned we are also looking for stars of a slightly older vintage for our Lifetime Achievement Award. 

In clubs up and down the country there are men and women who have dedicated their lives to the cause, giving time, and in many cases, money to keep their teams thriving through good times and bad.

Is one of them at your club? Please write and tell us.

The winners will be decided by your votes and will be honoured at a star-studded lunch at the Twickenham Stoop on Wednesday May 29 in the week before the Premiership final across the road at Twickenham.

Along with the rest of the nominees for the awards listed in the panel on the left, they will be considered by our  judges, including  Jeremy Guscott and Jeff Probyn plus our star writers Nick Cain and .

The poll will stay open until May 1.

Leave a Comment