Green Flag Forward of the Season Shortlist

Over the past eight months we have delighted in one of the most enthralling Aviva Premiership Rugby competitions in recent years and whilst it isn’t quite over yet the 2015 awards season is about to begin. 

Each year the Aviva Premiership Awards mark individuals that have shone over the course of the competition and there are a whole host of awards that are handed out in a few weeks time at the Aviva Premiership Awards Dinner. The list of awards span across all areas of the game, the shortlists and indeed overall winners for many of the categories and awards are decided by panels of judges containing representatives from across the world of rugby including former players and members of rugby's media. Last week I had the honour of being part of the panel to discuss and ultimately decide on the Green Flag Forward of the Season. 

This year the forwards across our twelve Aviva Premiership sides have really stood up and made their presence felt and it is a testament to their output that so many names were put on the table for discussion. Our panel was led by a man that knows exactly what it takes to be a World Class Forward, Neil Back and contained, alongside myself, BT Sport’s James Hopkins, The Rugby Paper’s Neale Harvey, Jack de Menezes from The Independent and ITV’s commentator Martin Gillingham. The task of keeping us all in order was handed to the ever experienced Paul Morgan, Aviva Premiership’s Communications Director and together we debated, at length, the candidates for this year's award.

The shortlist, as you may have already seen, comprises of Thomas Waldrom, Billy Vunipola, Nathan Hughes, Samu Manoa and Dave Ewers. As mentioned this was decided on after extensive discussion that included an initial vote and then a re-vote to decide the final member to the shortlist. The shortlist itself contains five back rowers and it must be said that, that wasn't purely down to the influence of Neil; we were united as a panel. Obviously the work of all of our Aviva Premiership sides’ front fives has been invaluable to date however Neil hit the nail on the head when he was explaining why the shortlist ended up with such a composition;

‘What transpired today is that we all know the front five put the team in the right places and put them on the front foot, but the back-rowers carry them there. Rugby is a team game and everyone contributes to success, but if you are looking for the Forward of the Year, someone that is going to be impressive and make an impact every week constantly with the work that they do the front five don’t always stand out.’

After twenty rounds of action the cumulated Opta Statistics are outstanding for each of the five nominees so to further showcase their worth allow me to pick a few highlights for you. Thomas Waldrom leads the way from a Forwards' perspective in the meters made list, he has 1237 in total with only Sinoti Sinoti, 1599, ahead of him. Nathan Hughes has beaten 12 more defenders, 88, than his lightning quick team mate Christian Wade and has made 36 offloads. Dave Ewers’ work rate is epitomised by his tackle count having made the most of any member of the shortlist with 219 to date and only Newcastle’s Mark Wilson has made more. Billy Vunipola’s carrying is central to Saracens’ game plan he has delivered 176 and Samu Manoa’s ability to keep the ball alive with his 27 offloads is essential for the Northampton Saints high tempo game. 

With a shortlist of back rowers it was a prime opportunity for hear Neil’s opinions on the back row depth that our Aviva Premiership sides and indeed England have when all of the players are fit at this moment in time;

‘Competition means that the players have to maximise their individual potential to get in the team and stay in the team. I remember myself being challenged by lots of people, many people talk about Dallaglio, Hill and Back but we had a Worsley, Corry and Moody trio that potentially were just as good so you need that competition. For me the Back Row is a unit, the players have got to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses within that, and make sure that the roles are really defined.’

All five members on the shortlist for the Green Flag Forward of the Season thoroughly deserve their places on the shortlist based on their performances to date and contribution to their clubs this season. As mentioned many other individuals were discussed, Jamie George and Tom Youngs, Nick Easter and Leroy Houston and more were all in the mix however ultimately decisions had to be made, as the video below highlights and I think that the majority of you will agree with our eventual winner that will be announced on 20th May.

Breakdown cover provider and proud partner of Premiership Rugby - Green Flag - has revealed the hotly-contended shortlist for the Green Flag Forward of the Season Award. To keep up to date with the latest news, visit www.greenflag.com, and follow @GreenFlagUK, facebook.com/GreenFlagUK or youtube.com/GreenFlagUK.