Gloucester rugby said goodbye to John Afoa as two current and one future Cherry and White featured in the BT Sport Aviva Premiership ‘Dream Team. Among the other awards there were also several nominee’s as Gloucester celebrated a season where they climb back into the Champions Cup.
Gloucester get handful in ‘Dream Team’
Tighthead John Afoa has had a superb season for Gloucester, helping them to get Champions Cup rugby next season as well as a place in the Challenge Cup final. Devastating around the breakdown and solid in the set piece, he’s been a crucial cog in the works for Gloucester and will be sorely missed as he heads to Bristol over the summer.
Club captain and second row, Ed Slater was also in the team of the year pack. Hitting hard and carrying aplenty he really has done it all when asked by Ackermann. A key part of the Cherry and White’s set piece, he’ll be a stalwart in the coming years.
There was also an inclusion for incoming fly half Danny Cipriani. The Wasps outside half has been on fire and see’s him in the Premiership team of the year for the first time in a decade. Gloucester fans will certainly rejoice in seeing him hit form as despite his chequered past he’ll certainly add a lot of depth and experience to the Gloucester squad.
? Your @btsportrugby Dream Team is…
3️⃣ @ExeterChiefs
2️⃣ @FalconsRugby
2️⃣ @GloucesterRugby
2️⃣ @LeicesterTigers⁰2️⃣ @SaintsRugby
2️⃣ @WaspsRugby
1️⃣ @SaleSharksRugby
1️⃣ @WorcsWarriors#PremRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/jV1wmP8yiL— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) 16 May 2018
Beckett loses out in chase for community player of the season
Charlie Beckett was shortlisted for the community player award, but was ousted to the crown by Harlequins forward, Mark Lambert. Beckett, who has done a lot of work within Gloucestershire plays a key part both on and off the field for the Cherry and White’s.
The first award on the cards tonight is the @AvivaUK Community Player of the Season with 6️⃣ strong candidates. Who would get your vote?#PremRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/rabg2JO1eu
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) 16 May 2018
Off field performances impressing
It wasn’t just players that got a mention at the awards as Gloucester’s photographer was shortlisted to the award. Only to be beaten by a photo of close rivals, Bath. It’s a key role to make the club look good and travelling the width and breadth of the country to do so takes time and excellence, something done extremely well by the team.
? The club photographer was nominated for the @premrugby Photographer of the Year at last night’s #PremRugbyAwards
Here are his 3 favourite shots from the season pic.twitter.com/vdVSSWYYHy
— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) 17 May 2018
Other awards
Singha rugby Premiership 7s player of the year went to Wasps Josh Bassett.
The Gilbert golden boot belonged to Owen Farrell who amassed 171 points this season.
Top try scorers belonged to Newcastle’s Vereniki Goneva and Worcester’s Josh Adams, both with 13 tries.
Citizen try of the season belonged to Newcastle Falcons Sinoti Sinoti
Land Rover Discovery of the season was Exeter’s Sam Simmonds.
Ricoh Director of rugby went to Dean Richards.
The top award, player of the season went to try scoring machine Vereniki Goneva. An outstanding player who has budded this year under Richards.
