Chiefs duo pick up top awards

By Mark Stevens
19/5/2016

Exeter Chiefs duo Gareth Steenson and Thomas Waldrom were both among the major award winners at this year’s Aviva Premiership Awards night held in London.

In what has been another outstanding campaign for Rob Baxter’s side, it was somewhat fitting that a number of his players were recognised for their on-field achievements.

Fly-half Steenson collected the Gilbert Golden Boot title for the first time as he beat off competition from Sale’s Danny Cipriani and Northampton’s Stephen Myler.

The Irishman helped himself to 219 points during the scheduled domestic season and he will be looking to add to that tally when the Chiefs play host to Wasps in Saturday’s Premiership play-off semi-final at a sold out Sandy Park (3:15pm).

Making it a Devon double was No.8 Waldrom who, for the second successive season, finished as the division’s leading try scorer.

The England international has enjoyed another stellar season in Chiefs’ colours, helping himself to 13 tries throughout the course of the season. He beat off the challenges of Christian Wade (Wasps) and Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath), both of whom finished with 12 tries.

Exeter’s representation on the night there did not end as Steenson and club-mate Don Armand were also nominated for the Premiership Player of the Year crown, which was won by Saracens full-back Alex Goode.

Head coach Rob Baxter also missed out on collected the Director of Rugby title for the second time as Mark McCall of Saracens landed the prize for a third successive season.

To cap a fine night for the club, Steenson and England winger Jack Nowell were both named in the BT Sport Dream Team of the season.

Other awards on the night saw George Smith (Wasps) pick up there Forward of the Season; Maro Itoje (Saracens) was named Discovery of the Season; Leicester’s Harry Thacker picked up the Try of the Season prize, while other winners included John O’Donnell (Sale) as Community Player of the Year; Elliot Frewen (Dragons) Premiership Sevens Player of the Year and Lichfield’s Harriet Millar-MIlls was selected as Women’s Premiership Player of the Year

The full BT Sport Dream Team was: Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Mike Haywood (Northampton Saints), Vadim Cobillas (Sale Sharks); Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens); Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints), George Smith (Wasps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens); Francois Hougaard (Worcester Warriors), Gareth Steenson (Exeter Chiefs); Telusa Veainu (Leicester Tigers), Charles Piutau (Wasps), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs); Alex Goode (Saracens).