Shortlist announced for Premiership Player of the Year

Premiership Rugby has confirmed the shortlist for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Season, which is made up of six players.

Teams who feature in this Saturday's Premiership Rugby semi-finals dominate the list with Newcastle's Mark Wilson and Northampton's Louis Picamoles the only players to appear from sides outside of the top four.

The line-up contains two Wasps players, Jimmy Gopperth and Joe Launchbury, and they are joined by one from Exeter Chiefs; Olly Woodburn and one from Saracens; Michael Rhodes.

The shortlist is: Jimmy Gopperth (Wasps), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Louis Picamoles (Northampton Saints), Michael Rhodes (Saracens), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons), Olly Woodburn (Exeter Chiefs)

Past winners

2015-16: Alex Goode (Saracens)
2014-15: George Ford (Bath Rugby)
2013-14: Mike Brown (Harlequins)
2012-13: Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
2011-12: Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
2010-11: Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
2009-10: Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints)
2008-09: Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
2007-08: James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester Rugby)
2006-07: Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester Tigers)
2005-06: Mike Catt (London Irish)
2004-05: Martin Corry (Leicester Tigers)