Ollie Lawrence has been named the Premiership’s player of the season, rounding off a turbulent campaign on a high for the England centre.
Lawrence was among the players displaced from Worcester when they went bust last year but having shone in adversity on the field for the Warriors he joined Bath and continued an impressive run of form that led to a return to the international fold.
In 12 Premiership appearances for Bath, the 23-year-old centre scored five tries including a crucial effort last weekend in the emphatic victory over Saracens which cemented his side’s spot in next season’s Champions Cup. Lawrence follows Saracens’ Ben Earl in scooping the award, having edged out Owen Farrell, Sale’s Rob du Preez and Jasper Wiese of Leicester.
During the Six Nations Lawrence was picked to start England’s opening game against Scotland and he started the three subsequent matches – shining in particular in the away win over Wales – before a hamstring injury ruled him out of facing Ireland. With Bath’s season now over, however, Lawrence can soon turn his attention to England again with Steve Borthwick naming his first World Cup training squad next month.
Elsewhere, London Irish’s back-rower Tom Pearson has been named breakthrough player of the season. Pearson has enjoyed a fine season with Irish, helping Exiles to fifth place in the table, their highest finish since 2009. He came off the bench last Saturday to swing Irish’s match against Exeter in their favour, scoring one try and setting up another to end a turbulent week – in which players and staff were paid late – in fine form on the pitch. The 23-year-old has scored seven tries in 17 Premiership appearances and was outstanding as Irish ended Saracens’ unbeaten run just before Christmas.
Meanwhile, Saracens’ Mark McCall has been named director of rugby of the season after guiding last season’s beaten finalists to top spot in the regular season table. Saracens host Northampton for a place in this season’s final on Saturday as a result.
Newcastle’s Mateo Carreras has won try of the season for his dazzling effort against Northampton, collecting the ball on his own 22, stepping his way past five defenders and speeding away from a sixth to score. Cadan Murley of Harlequins and London Irish’s Paddy Jackson have finished the regular season as top try and points scorers respectively.
