Simmonds named Land Rover Discovery of the Season at Aviva Premiership Rugby awards
Exeter Chiefs forward Sam Simmonds has been named the ‘Land Rover Discovery of The Season’ for the 2017/18 season, at this year’s Aviva Premiership Rugby awards.
The Land Rover Discovery of the Season award recognises the most impressive young player in Aviva Premiership Rugby each season and rewards them for their outstanding contribution to the competition.
Nominees for the award had to be 23 years old or younger on 1st September 2017, and have played at least eight Aviva Premiership Rugby matches this season and not received full international caps prior to 2017.
Simmonds topped an exciting shortlist that included Worcester Warriors’ Josh Adams, Jack Willis of Wasps, and Gloucester Rugby duo Ruan Ackermann and Jake Polledri. With such a strong line up of nominees, it was Simmonds’ meteoric performances for Exeter Chiefs that saw him claim the award.
The back row’s blistering pace and potent attacking ability has seen him score 13 tries in 15 Premiership appearances this season. Having gained international honours this season, he was recently named as Exeter Chiefs’ Young player of the Year, and Player of the Year.
To decide the winner of this season’s award, a panel of national rugby journalists and broadcasters were responsible for naming the shortlist of five players and subsequent winner.
In winning the Land Rover Discovery of The Season award, Simmonds follows in the footsteps of some notable names; Leicester Tigers’ Ellis Genge,
Exeter Chiefs’ Henry Slade, Saracens duo Billy Vunipola and Maro Itoje and Wasps’ Joe Launchbury, who have all received honours at an international level.
To celebrate his achievement, Simmonds will have the opportunity to become a Land Rover ambassador for the 2018/19 season.
Presenting Simmonds with his accolade was Scott Dicken, Sales Director Jaguar Land Rover UK, who commented:
“In this testimonial season of Land Rover’s support of grassroots rugby, Land Rover is proud to recognise the achievements of some of the brightest young rugby players in the country; through the Land Rover Discovery of the Season award.
“Sam has been in magnificent form this season and was part of an impressive shortlist of potential winners. The domestic clubs should be very proud of the talent they have coming through their ranks.”
Land Rover Discovery of The Season award winner Sam Simmonds added: “I’m shocked, but delighted to win the Land Rover Discovery of the Season; it really has taken me by surprise considering the talents and achievements of the other nominees. “This season has been really special for me as I’ve been able to get a lot of game time under my belt and learn so much from those around me at both international and club level. I’m really looking forward for what is to come and building on the success of this season going forward.”
