Danny Cipriani's list of accolades was increased last night when he was named Gallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Season at a the Premiership Rugby awards ceremony. This follows his recent RPA Player of the Season accolade.
The 31-year-old has been a key component for Gloucester this season as they finished third in the table, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in eight years.
Making the move from Wasps in the summer, Cipriani hasn’t been far away from various highlights reels in what has been one of the most competitive and exciting Gallagher Premiership Rugby seasons to date.
He becomes only the second person after Wasps’ Jimmy Gopperth to win this and the RPA Player of the Year in the same campaign.
While England coach Eddie Jones doesn't seem to be a huge fan of Cipriani's exploits, his 13 try assists and metronomic boot have kept Gloucester ticking and his head coach Johan Ackermann believes he deserves the award.
"I’m very pleased and so happy for Danny," said Ackermann. "I’m so proud of him - it’s always a big thing when a player joins a club and there’s a bit of pressure on you to perform.
"You have to adapt to the style of the team and the coaches involved, and I can only speak highly of Danny’s commitment to the team. He’s set-up into the culture, he’s open - we have a good relationship where we’re open with each other and of course he’s made a serious impact on the field.
"He’s probably got the best skill I’ve seen from a fly-half from an attacking point of view, he can kick well and he’s extremely fast. He knows what he wants in attack and his distribution is top class.
"He’s made an immediate impact and the players around him got the benefit, but also Danny is the one who will always acknowledge the pack in front of him and the players around him, and how they’ve helped him and provided opportunities."
OTHER AWARDS:
Land Rover Discovery of the Season - Tom Curry
Follador Top Try Scorer - Denny Solomona and Cobus Reinach (12 tries each)
Gilbert Golden Boot - George Ford (201 points, 30 conversions and 47 penalties)
Citizen Try of the Season - Ollie Thorley (see below)
Ricoh Director of Rugby of the Season - Mark McCall (Saracens)
Gallagher Community Player of the Season - Nick Fenton-Wells
London Pride Premiership Rugby 7s Player of the Season - Calum Waters (Harlequins)
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