 Cipriani had enjoyed a successful season before his injury |
Danny Cipriani was given a boost as he recovers from a fracture dislocated ankle when he was voted young player of the year by his fellow professionals. The Wasps fly-half beat team-mate James Haskell and Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care to the honour at the Professional Rugby Players' Association awards. Wasps claimed a double with Cipriani's team-mate Riki Flutey taking the Player of Year honours. He beat Bath centre Olly Barkley and Gloucester winger James Simpson-Daniel. Cipriani, 20, had also been part of the five-strong nomination list for the Player of the Year award. He was unable to collect his award - the Nick Duncombe Memorial Trophy - in person after suffering his horrific injury in Sunday's Guinness Premiership semi-final play-off victory over Bath.  | To have been voted young player of the year by my fellow players is a huge honour |
He is set to be sidelined for up to six months, missing Wasps' Premiership final date with Leicester and England's summer tour to New Zealand, but could be back in time for the November internationals. He said: "To have been voted Young Player of the Year by my fellow players is a huge honour and it means a lot to me. "It wouldn't have been possible without the talented players around me and the continued advice and support from the coaches and management at Wasps. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Wasps, Bath, England and the supporters for your help and support since Sunday. "I am determined to come back from the injury a better player, both physically and mentally." New Zealander Flutey, who will qualify for England in September, succeeds another Kiwi, Glenn Jackson, in claiming the top prize. | 606: DEBATE |
He moved to Wasps from London Irish last summer and has played a key role in the club's passage to the Premiership final. Meanwhile, Jason Robinson received a special merit award for his contribution to rugby while his former England team-mates Jason Leonard and Richard Hill were inducted into the PRA Hall of Fame. Former England international and retiring BBC rugby commentator Alistair Hignell was also given a special award for his "remarkable courage in battling with the debilitation of MS and for his tremendous contribution to rugby as both player and broadcaster".
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