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George Smith was crowned Players’ Player of the Year at the RPA Players’ Awards 2016
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The Wallabies back-row made 17 Premiership appearances for the club, playing a key role in their run to the play-offs
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Other winners included Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola and Brian O’Driscoll,
Wasps veteran flanker George Smith was crowned Players’ Player of the Year at the RPA Players’ Awards 2016, in association with England Rugby at an awards ceremony on Wednesday.
The accolade comes the week after Smith scooped Supporters’ Player and Players’ Player at Wasps’ End of Season Awards. The 111-cap Wallaby has previously been awarded the Australian Super 14 Player of the Year over four consecutive years (2006-09).
Smith, currently in his 17th year of professional rugby, registered the highest number of votes from his fellow professionals, to be named the Players’ Player of the Year.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my season playing in England and representing such a determined and driven club like Wasps has made my job so much easier.
“I have cherished each moment I have taken the pitch, the fans in England are superb and I look forward to finishing our season on a high as we strive towards success in the play-offs.”
Other notable award winners on the night included Maro Itoje as LV= Young Player of the Year, Billy Vunipola as The Old Mutual Wealth England Player of the Year and former Ireland and British & Irish Lions centre, Brian O’Driscoll, was inducted into the RPA Hall of Fame in association with KPMG.
Full list of award winners:
The RPA Players’ Player of the Year in association with England Rugby
Winner: George Smith – Wasps
Andy Goode – Newcastle Falcons
Nathan Hughes – Wasps
Charles Piutau – Wasps
Thomas Waldrom – Exeter Chiefs
LV= Young Player of the Year
Winner: Maro Itoje – Saracens
Jack Clifford – Harlequins
Elliot Daly – Wasps
Harry Mallinder – Northampton Saints
Harry Thacker – Leicester Tigers
The Old Mutual Wealth England Player of the Year
Winner: Billy Vunipola – Saracens
James Haskell – Wasps
George Kruis – Saracens
Chris Robshaw – Harlequins
Anthony Watson – Bath
HSBC England Sevens Player of the Year
Winner: Dan Bibby
Warwick Lahmert
Ruaridh McConnochie
The O2 England Women’s Player of the Year
Winner: Sarah Hunter
Emily Braund
Heather Fisher
The Greene King IPA Championship Player of the Year in association with England Rugby
Winner: Jack Lam – Bristol
Ryan Burrows – Yorkshire Carnegie
Jonah Holmes – Yorkshire Carnegie
Nine Feet Tall Personal Development Programme Award
Winner: Rob Hawkins – Newcastle Falcons
Tom Court – London Irish
James Hudson – Gloucester
Richard Thorpe – London Welsh
The Restart Rugby Special Merit Award
Charlie Hodgson
RPA Blyth Spirit Award in association with Towergate Insurance
Henry Fraser
The RPA Hall of Fame Induction in association with KPMG
Brian O’Driscoll