George Ford crowned Aviva Premiership Player of the Season
Wednesday 20 May 2015 22:34, UK
England and Bath fly-half George Ford has been named the Aviva Premiership Player of the Season for 2014-15.
Ford has established himself as England’s first choice No 10 ahead of Owen Farrell and has helped Bath reach the league play-offs for the first time since 2010.
The 22-year-old featured on a five-strong shortlist that included Wasps centre Elliot Daly and back row Nathan Hughes, Bath centre Jonathan Joseph and Saracens No 8 Billy Vunipola.
The Ford household was given double reason to celebrate at the Premiership's awards ceremony in central London after George's father Mike was named Director of Rugby of the Season for his work at Bath.
"George is a worthy recipient of this year's player of the season award," Premiership Rugby's rugby director Phil Winstanley said.
"He has spear-headed an extremely talented backline at Bath and his control and composure at fly-half show a remarkable maturity for someone so young.
"This season he has cemented his position in the England team and we all hope he can take his fantastic form into the World Cup."
Exeter playmaker Henry Slade, who has been included in England's World Cup training squad, was crowned as the Premiership's best U23 player.
Powerful Fijian-born back row Hughes was crowned Forward of the Season, while the Premiership Dream Team was dominated by Bath and Exeter.
Team of the Season: A Watson (Bath); C Wade (Wasps), J Joseph (Bath), H Slade (Exeter), S Sinoti (Newcastle); G Ford (Bath), J Simpson (Wasps), M Mullan (Wasps), J George (Saracens), T Francis (Exeter), G Kitchener (Leicester), D Mumm (Exeter, capt), D Ewers (Exeter), F Louw (Bath), N Hughes (Wasps).
