Danny Cipriani finally gets recognition for his outstanding year despite England snub
England fly-half Danny Cipriani has been voted Rugby Players’ Association player of the year for 2019 following an outstanding debut season at Gloucester.
Cipriani amassed the most votes from his fellow professionals and becomes only the third person, alongside Jonny Wilkinson and Christian Wade, to be recognised having previously won the young player award.
The 31-year-old has masterminded Gloucester’s march into the Gallagher Premiership play-offs, an achievement that had eluded the club since 2011, after leaving Wasps last summer.
For all his dazzling form and assured game management – in a season marred by injury, a three-week ban for a high tackle and a fine incurred for a nightclub incident – Cipriani has been unable to reclaim his England place.
Also present on the five-strong shortlist were Exeter wing Santiago Cordero, Sale scrum-half Faf De Klerk, Northampton scrum-half Cobus Reinach and Exeter centre Henry Slade.
Cipriani said: “It’s very humbling to be named the winner of such a prestigious and special award.
“Rugby is the ultimate team sport and every day we work exceptionally hard together as a club to improve every aspect of our performance.
“I would like to thank my fellow professionals for the wonderful recognition and to everyone who has continued to support me along this journey.”
Gloucester enjoyed further success at the awards ceremony at Twickenham when their all-action wing Ollie Thorley, 22, was crowned young player of the year.
Other notable winners on the night included Sarah Bern as the England women’s player of the year and Jonny May as the England men’s player of the year, while Mathew Tait won the special merit award.
The Academy Part IV with the Leicester Tigers:
Latest Comments
Brett, from my distant perspective, I hope you get to keep the Rebels. Any ideas of teams from Japan or Argentina are just crazy. Won’t happen. If you look at logistics, it is much easier to get to LA from Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney than to Buenos Aires. All with direct non-stop daily flights. You may even get some “gringos” to watch the games, with some younger players compared to Giteau and Nonu who still “play” in the area. I think it is virtually impossible to get a competitive Argie team for SR. All Pumas are in Europe, almost all second tier players are also in Europe. Fringe players are in South American pro rugby tournament (and many still in the MLR!) but these players who might be most interested in joining a new Jaguares do not have the skills to compete. As I have been saying since the Jaguares joined, they should have had TWO teams to make logistics for visiting teams better and Argie player development improved as well. Jaguares/Pumas was not ideal. But this is where Pichot and his cronies did not think long enough. Further the country with he new president “No hay Plata” Milei is in a very difficult situation. Galperin, the richest man in Argentina owns the Miami franchise of MLR. I don’t think you can get him to invest in Argentina. Actually, he played rugby himself. He was a fly half. He is worth around $6 billion!
Go to commentsWell done Baby Boks we will take the Draw. No 9 senseless long passes in those conditions. let’s move on and hope for some good weather
Go to comments