Rugby
ESPN staff 6y

Aviva Premiership: Gloucester provide two nominees for Discovery of the Year

Rugby, Aviva Premiership

Ruan Ackermann has been rewarded for a fine first season in England with a place on the shortlist for Premiership Rugby's Discovery of the Year award.

Ackermann, who left the Lions to join his father Johan at Gloucester last summer, has scored three tries in 25 appearances to help the Challenge Cup finalists' fight for a top-six finish.

The South Africa A international is joined on the shortlist by his Cherry and Whites teammate Jake Polledri, who made his Italy debut during this year's Six Nations.

The Gloucester duo face competition from Worcester wing Josh Adams, Exeter back row Sam Simmonds and Wasps flanker Jack Willis for the gong, that will be awarded at the Premiership Rugby dinner.

However, there is no place on the five-player list for Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith, 19, who has spent time as an apprentice with Eddie Jones' England squad having made his debut on the opening day of the season.

Past winners of the award include Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje, Henry Slade, Billy Vunipola, Joe Launchbury, Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs and Danny Cipriani.

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