'What a joke' - Diamond lashes Prem over awards snub

Former Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond has expressed his frustration on Twitter after the team failed to receive any awards at the 2023 Gallagher Premiership awards.

Now at Edinburgh in the URC, Diamond was particularly aggrieved at the lack of recognition for his former club, tweeting that "Northern Rugby gets zero respect."

The Premiership awards took place last night, and the winners were revealed, with Bath Rugby’s Ollie Lawrence scooping the Gallagher Player of the Season award.

Other winners included Tom Pearson (London Irish) for Breakthrough Player of the Season, Mark McCall (Saracens) for Director of Rugby of the Season, Mateo Carreras (Newcastle Falcons) for Try of the Season, Sean Maitland (Saracens) for Community Player of the Season, Paddy Jackson (London Irish) for Premiership Rugby Top Points Scorer, and Cadan Murley (Harlequins) for Premiership Rugby Top Try Scorer.

However, there was no room for Sale Sharks.

Diamond wrote: "Not a single award for Sale Sharks at the Premiership awards tonight. What a joke. What do they have to do.!!! Northern Rugby gets zero respect."

Diamond's criticism comes as no surprise, given his association with Sale Sharks and his passion for the sport. He is a vocal advocate for rugby in the North of England and has been a long-standing figure in the sport.