Every year individuals breakthrough and make us turn our heads with their prowess and proficiency and as the regular rounds of the competition are coming to a close it is time to recognise those whose contributions have helped to make this an outstanding season. Our first stop is to review the forwards, the men that have been at the sharp end of proceedings and a few in my eyes have stood out.
For the past few seasons Jamie George has waited patiently behind Schalk Brits and absorbed the elder's knowledge. According to the young hooker they have a ‘healthy competitive edge’ to their relationship and 'push each other all the way' and in the Aviva Premiership there are few better that he could learn from. This season Brits’ knee injury allowed his apprentice to step into the master's shoes and this has resulted in the Jamie starting eighteen of Saracens' last twenty one Aviva Premiership games. Jamie George has held the weight of Saracens’ lineout and scrum on his shoulders and has done so with proficiency, he has made 188 tackles and consistently displayed a fleetness of foot that defies his stature. This consistent game time has delivered a truck load more of experience, in large games too and the twenty four year old has put himself in a great position going into this summer and the announcement of Stuart Lancaster's wider RWC training squad.
Another Saracen that has stepped up to every challenge he has been faced with this season is Maro Itoje. This year Itoje has announced himself on the domestic and European competitions and has donned the rose of England Saxons against the Irish Wolfhounds. Those of us that were familiar with the England U20 Class of 2014 knew this was coming however now everyone can see his talent. It is the combination of his positional proficiency and leadership that has mesmerised us all. The twenty year old has yet to lose a match as Captain of Saracens and has inspired his side to two tournament victories in the A League and LV Competitions. It is the manner in which he lead those sides that is the cause of great excitement, Maro oozes leadership in the same vein that a young Martin Johnson did. The statements already flying around about Itoje being a future England Captain and Lions player are wholly justified and I cannot wait to see his progression over the coming years.
Wasps have blossomed this season and their back row has been at the heart of this led by the dynamic and majestic qualities of their Number 8, Nathan Hughes. The loss of Billy Vunipola hit Wasps hard however now two seasons on fans wouldn’t swap Nathan for Billy even if you paid them to do so. The Fijian is a unique and prolific talent, he combines first class carrying with feet that belie his 18 stone frame and his fitness and athleticism allows him to go for the full eighty. The Number 8 has beaten more defenders and made more carries than his team mate Christian Wade and he hops the turnover charts in the Premiership Competition. By his own admission Nathan has more to learn, he arrived later to rugby than many of his Premiership counterparts and when he does qualify for England based on residency in June next year I expect Stuart Lancaster to be on the phone to him very quickly indeed.
It is hard to ignore the contribution that Thomas Waldrom has had on the Aviva Premiership season this year for Thomas has been re-born at the Exeter Chiefs and has delivered the domestic season of his life. Waldrom isn't the flashiest of athletes however he uses what he has to great effect. After twenty rounds Exeter's Number 8 had delivered more meters than all of the Premiership's backs bar Sinoti Sintoi and had carried considerably more than any other player with 269 carries. Recently the man whose try scoring record that he has now equalled, Neil Back, expressed his admiration for Waldrom and shared that he really isn't surprised that he is leading the way. If the World Cup winner had, had his way Thomas Waldrom would have been part of his set up a Leeds all those years ago however the move didn't come off and instead he went to Leicester. Now Thomas is an integral part of an Exeter Chiefs side that have enjoyed brilliant season and he has certainly set himself high standards to live up to next year!
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| Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images |
The final man to review from a forwards perspective is another Number 8 and it is Bath's Leroy Houston. As was the case when we reviewed the Green Flag Forward of the Season the back rowers have really stood out this year and on an individual level Leroy has taken his game to new heights. Leroy's qualities are akin to Nathan Hughes' for it is the beautiful combination of athleticism and power that has propelled him to be one of the first names in Bath's extremely competitive team sheet. The ball does what he wants it to when it is in his hands and physically he never take a backwards step. Houston's all around contribution promotes him onto this list; he had beaten 49 defenders, made 142 tackles and carried 133 times in twenty rounds. His popularity off the pitch adds to his accolades with Mike Ford describing him as 'a guy who turns up to training everyday and matches every weekend with a smile on his face & gives his all with amazing talent'. I believe that statement says it all from someone who expects exceptionally high standards from his players.
There are a few other forwards that deserved notable mentions for their contribution to this season's Aviva Premiership Nick Wood has given many an individual issues at scum time thanks to his years of experience. Tom Youngs continues to shine for Leicester and Internationally and back at Exeter Dave Ewers' industrious work cannot be overlooked.
Wasps have blossomed this season and their back row has been at the heart of this led by the dynamic and majestic qualities of their Number 8, Nathan Hughes. The loss of Billy Vunipola hit Wasps hard however now two seasons on fans wouldn’t swap Nathan for Billy even if you paid them to do so. The Fijian is a unique and prolific talent, he combines first class carrying with feet that belie his 18 stone frame and his fitness and athleticism allows him to go for the full eighty. The Number 8 has beaten more defenders and made more carries than his team mate Christian Wade and he hops the turnover charts in the Premiership Competition. By his own admission Nathan has more to learn, he arrived later to rugby than many of his Premiership counterparts and when he does qualify for England based on residency in June next year I expect Stuart Lancaster to be on the phone to him very quickly indeed. 
It is hard to ignore the contribution that Thomas Waldrom has had on the Aviva Premiership season this year for Thomas has been re-born at the Exeter Chiefs and has delivered the domestic season of his life. Waldrom isn't the flashiest of athletes however he uses what he has to great effect. After twenty rounds Exeter's Number 8 had delivered more meters than all of the Premiership's backs bar Sinoti Sintoi and had carried considerably more than any other player with 269 carries. Recently the man whose try scoring record that he has now equalled, Neil Back, expressed his admiration for Waldrom and shared that he really isn't surprised that he is leading the way. If the World Cup winner had, had his way Thomas Waldrom would have been part of his set up a Leeds all those years ago however the move didn't come off and instead he went to Leicester. Now Thomas is an integral part of an Exeter Chiefs side that have enjoyed brilliant season and he has certainly set himself high standards to live up to next year!
