Top Catt up for player gong

By Ben Blackmore  

Top Catt up for player gong

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Players

England World Cup-winner Mike Catt has been named amongst the five nominations to be awarded the PRA Computacenter Players' Player of the Year.

Catt has enjoyed a magnificent season for London Irish, helping the Exiles to fourth in the Premiership while they also booked their place in the final of the European Challenge Cup on Sunday.

The former England man is joined by fellow countryman Shaun Perry and Scotland captain Jason White, as well as All Blacks duo Justin Marshall and Carlos Spencer.

Marshall was the shining light of a disappointing campaign that ended in relegation for Leeds Tykes, while Spencer has been in typically box office form in his first season with Northampton Saints.

Perry meanwhile has been the surprise performer of the season, forcing his way into the England reckoning with several match-winning displays for newly-promoted Bristol.

White has been the inspiration behind Sale's rise to prominence in the Premiership table, while his performances for a revived Scotland have been exemplary.

Nominees for the Young Player award make tremendous reading for fans of English rugby, as Leicester sensation TomVarndell leads a list that also includes: Magnus Lund (Sale Sharks), Jon Clarke (Northampton Saints), Tom Rees (Wasps) and Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons).

The winner will be announced on May 10.

Official list of nominations:

Computacenter Players' Player of the Year
Mike Catt - London Irish
Justin Marshall - Leeds Tykes
Shaun Perry - Bristol Rugby
Carlos Spencer - Northampton Saints
Jason White - Sale Sharks

Mercedes Benz Young Player of the Year - The Nick Duncombe Memorial Award
Jon Clarke - Northampton Saints
Magnus Lund - Sale Sharks
Tom Rees - London Wasps
Mathew Tait - Newcastle Falcons
Tom Varndell - Leicester Tigers