Wasps
Wasps trio head up Rugby Players' Association Player of the Year shortlist
Tom Hamilton
May 3, 2016
© Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

Wasps trio George Smith, Charles Piutau and Nathan Hughes feature on the Rugby Players' Association's Player of the Year shortlist alongside Newcastle No.10 Andy Goode and Exeter's Thomas Waldrom. 

Waldrom is the Aviva Premiership's top try-scorer and won the RPA award in 2011 while veteran fly-half Goode came out of retirement mid-season and impressed at Newcastle before then hanging up his boots for a second time. 

But it is Wasps who dominate the shortlist -- which is voted for by the players -- with three of the five nominations. Piutau, who will leave Wasps at the end of the season for Ulster, has established himself as one of Europe's top fullbacks while Smith has been sensational at openside for Dai Young's team. Hughes, 24, has also enjoyed an impressive season at No.8 for Wasps. 

The RPA has also unveiled the Young Player of the Year shortlist with Wasps' Elliot Daly, Saracens' Maro Itoje, Leicester's Harry Thacker, Northampton's Harry Mallinder and Harlequins' Jack Clifford making the cut.

© Tom Hamilton

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