England youngsters dominate player of the year shortlist

Elliot Daly’s hopes of forcing his way into contention for England’s 45-man World Cup training squad, which will be announced later this month, have been boosted by his inclusion on the shortlist for the Aviva Premiership Rugby player of the season.

Daly, the Wasps centre, joins three current England players, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Billy Vunipola, along with his club mate Nathan Hughes on the five-man shortlist.

Daly, who was named Premiership player of the month for March and has four caps for England Saxons, has made a late push for inclusion in Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup …