Bath centre Joseph claims award double

Bath's Jonathan Joseph claimed a double at the Rugby Players' Association (RPA) awards on Wednesday when he was named Players' Player of the Year and England Player of the Year.

The 23-year-old outside centre has helped Bath climb to second place in the English Premiership and scored four tries for England during the Six Nations as Stuart Lancaster's side finished runners-up to Ireland.

"I'm extremely honoured to win both of these prestigious awards, especially given the immense quality amongst the other nominees," Joseph said in a press released issued by the RPA.

"As always I would like to thank the people who've made this possible, my family and friends, team-mates, coaches and all the people who have pushed me to strive to achieve my absolute best.

"I'm enormously proud to have my name on two of the RPA's Awards. It's an absolute pleasure to have received this level of recognition from my peers."

The awards ceremony in London also saw England's 2003 World Cup-winning fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who retired in 2014, inducted into the RPA's Hall of Fame.

Exeter playmaker Henry Slade was named Young Player of the Year, while Rochelle Clark took the honours as England Women's Player of the Year.
Source: AFP