Steve Diamond leads Premiership’s Director of Rugby of the Season shortlist

Steve Diamond has been shortlisted to be named Director of Rugby of the Season on the back of a sensational season with the Sale Sharks.
Twelve months ago, the Sharks were battling to avoid relegation but they are now 6th in the Premiership table and will play in the new Champions Cup next season.
To win the award, Diamond will have to beat Saracens boss Mark McCall and Leicester’s Richard Cockerill, who won back in 2009.
McCall, last year’s winner, has lead Saracens to another table topping season in the Premiership whilst steering his side to the Heineken Cup final on May 24 against Toulon.
Cockerill – a winner in 2009 – had a bumpy ride with injuries to key players pushing his squad to the limit but as it is often the case towards the end of the season they have found form and are still on course to reach yet another Premiership final.
“We are very fortunate in Aviva Premiership Rugby to have some of the best coaches in the world but that ensured the judging panel had a tough job,” said Phil Winstanley the Rugby Director at Premiership Rugby.
“All three on the shortlist were presented with their own different challenges and have led their clubs into next season’s European Rugby Champions Cup.
“Mark has managed a superb season for Saracens leading the charge at the top of Aviva Premiership Rugby and steering his side into a Heineken Cup Final whilst Richard has had a tough season losing numerous players to injury yet picking up significant momentum going into the end of season and narrowly missing out in Clermont in a fantastic Heineken Cup quarter final.
“Steve has had a massive impact in different circumstances; after a tough season last season he has led the Sharks into the top six against the expectations of most pundits and they can now look forward to elite European competition next season.
“I see the quality and professionalism of the whole group on a continuous basis and I believe that we are extremely fortunate to have such a stellar list of coaches in Aviva Premiership Rugby.”