London Irish centre Seilala Mapusua has been honoured by his fellow players by being named as the PRA Players' Player of the Year.
Exiles centre given the nod by fellow pros for Player of the Year gong
London Irish centre Seilala Mapusua has been honoured by his fellow players by being named as the PRA Players' Player of the Year.
The Samoan international was handed the gong at the Professional Rugby Players Association awards ceremony in London.
Mapusua scooped the award given by his fellow professionals ahead of Newcastle fly-half Tom May and Sale Sharks back-row forward Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, who will both play club rugby in France next season.
The 29-year-old has been a central part of Irish's league title bid, helping them reach their first Guinness Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday, when the Exiles will tackle Leicester.
"It is a very humbling honour and a great surprise to be recognised with this award," Mapusua said.
"I've enjoyed this season immensely, and to receive this award is a great bonus.
Fantastic
"This season has been fantastic, both for me and London Irish, and getting to our first Premiership final is something we have all worked very hard for.
"I am looking forward to giving it a good crack on Saturday, and hopefully finishing the season with another trophy to add to this one.''
The young player award was captured by Northampton's exciting England international back Ben Foden, who edged out Leicester flanker Tom Croft and Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care.
In addition to making his England debut this season, Foden has also helped Northampton book a European Challenge Cup final appointment with French club Bourgoin on May 22.
"Winning this award means an awful lot to me, and there is no greater honour than to be recognised like this by your fellow players,'' said Foden.
Achievement
"I wouldn't have been able to achieve everything I have this season without the continued support and advice of the players and coaches at Northampton, and I would like to thank them for all their help and encouragement throughout this season.''
England World Cup winner Mike Catt, Mapusua's team-mate at Irish, won a special merit award for his contribution to rugby, while former England internationals Jeremy Guscott and Fran Cotton were inducted into the PRA's hall of fame.
And Help for Heroes, the organisation formed to help those wounded in Britain's current conflicts, received a special presentation from PRA members - the Blyth Spirit Award.
A highly-successful Help for Heroes fundraising game took place at Twickenham earlier this season involving former stars like Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio and Scott Gibbs.
The last remaining tickets for the Guinness Premiership Final have now gone on general sale to Leicester Tigers and London Irish fans and an additional allocation has been made available on Ticketmaster.
Leicester Tigers have gone on general sale to their supporters. Leicester fans should call 0844 856 1880 or visit www.leicestertigers.com
London Irish have also gone on general sale to their supporters. Fans of the Exiles should call 0844 249 1871 or visit www.london-irish.com
