Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / ENGLISH
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Rugby Union Contents:  Live scores | English | Irish | Scottish | Welsh | My Club | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved

20:19 GMT, Wednesday, 21 May 2008 21:19 UK

Cipriani and Flutey land awards

Danny Cipriani

Danny Cipriani was given a boost as he recovers from a fracture dislocated ankle when he was voted young player of the year by his fellow professionals.

The Wasps fly-half beat team-mate James Haskell and Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care to the honour at the Professional Rugby Players' Association awards.

Wasps claimed a double with Cipriani's team-mate Riki Flutey taking the Player of Year honours.

He beat Bath centre Olly Barkley and Gloucester winger James Simpson-Daniel.

Cipriani, 20, had also been part of the five-strong nomination list for the Player of the Year award.

He was unable to collect his award - the Nick Duncombe Memorial Trophy - in person after suffering his horrific injury in Sunday's Guinness Premiership semi-final play-off victory over Bath.

"To have been voted young player of the year by my fellow players is a huge honour"
Danny Cipriani

He is set to be sidelined for up to six months, missing Wasps' Premiership final date with Leicester and England's summer tour to New Zealand, but could be back in time for the November internationals.

He said: "To have been voted Young Player of the Year by my fellow players is a huge honour and it means a lot to me.

"It wouldn't have been possible without the talented players around me and the continued advice and support from the coaches and management at Wasps.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Wasps, Bath, England and the supporters for your help and support since Sunday.

"I am determined to come back from the injury a better player, both physically and mentally."

New Zealander Flutey, who will qualify for England in September, succeeds another Kiwi, Glenn Jackson, in claiming the top prize.

606: DEBATE
Your thoughts on the PRA awards

He moved to Wasps from London Irish last summer and has played a key role in the club's passage to the Premiership final.

Meanwhile, Jason Robinson received a special merit award for his contribution to rugby while his former England team-mates Jason Leonard and Richard Hill were inducted into the PRA Hall of Fame.

Former England international and retiring BBC rugby commentator Alistair Hignell was also given a special award for his "remarkable courage in battling with the debilitation of MS and for his tremendous contribution to rugby as both player and broadcaster".




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Cipriani ruled out for six months (19 May 08 |  English )
Cipriani earns more nominations (12 May 08 |  Rugby Union )
Cipriani handed double nomination (07 May 08 |  London Wasps )
Cipriani lives up to the hype (16 Mar 08 |  Rugby Union )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Rugby union on the BBC
Guinness Premiership
Rugby Football Union
Bath
Bristol
Gloucester
Harlequins
Leeds
Leicester
London Irish
Newcastle
Sale
Saracens
Wasps
Worcester
Rugby union weather
BBC Where I Live - England
Your say on English rugby union - 606
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Rugby Union Contents:  Live scores | English | Irish | Scottish | Welsh | My Club | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©