England U-20 star nominated for award

England Under-20 star Joe Simpson has been nominated for the International Rugby Board’s young player of the year award.

Wasps prospect Simpson helped England reach the Under-20 World Cup final earlier this summer. He will contest the award alongside New Zealand pair Chris Smith and Luke Braid.

Previous winners of the award include Wales’ Gavin Henson, New Zealand’s Luke McAlister and France international fly-half Lionel Beauxis.

Simpson said: “I am very proud and excited to have been nominated, and being selected as one of the three leading players from the Junior World Championship is a great feeling.”

The winner will be announced at this year’s IRB awards ceremony in London on November 26.