Tom Youngs gets reward for making a move

Leicester hooker Tom Youngs was last night named Player of the Season at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Awards.

Youngs made his England debut and was called up by the British and Irish Lions just three years after he made the move from centre to the front row.

Wasps lock Joe Launchbury picked up the Land Rover Discovery of the season award and Saracens boss Mark McCall was name QBE director of rugby of the season.

Youngs, who has won nine England caps, claimed the main award ahead of Steve Borthwick, Danny Care, Akapusi Qera, Julian Salvi and Christian Wade.

Premiership Rugby director Phil Winstanley said: “To move from the centre to hooker is practically unheard of in professional rugby. To go on to make your England debut and a Lions tour the following season is what dreams are made of.”