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Four England internationals nominated for Rugby Black List awards
By Josh Raisey
England men’s duo Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ollie Lawrence have been nominated for men’s performance player at the second Rugby Black List Awards.
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The pair will compete with Scotland and Saracens flanker Andy Christie to take the award won by England teammate Ellis Genge at the inaugural event last year.
Feyi-Waboso made his England debut against Italy from the bench in this year’s Guinness Six Nations, scoring his first try against Scotland in round three and earning his first start in the win over Ireland in round four. Lawrence was a try-scorer in the victory over the Six Nations champions at Twickenham before scoring two tries a week later against France.
In the women’s game, England sevens international Deborah Wills, England hooker Rownita Marston-Mulhearn and South Africa prop Babalwa Latsha will look to follow in the footsteps of last year’s women’s performance player Shaunagh Brown.
Voting is open and will run until April 9 before the winner is announced at the awards on April 30 at Twickenham.
Rugby Black List founder Sagan Daniels said: “Between the 2023 event and what we hope to be an epic event this year, it was important for Rugby Black List to consolidate and capitalise on a successful inauguration.
“There was such a groundswell of interest and gratitude for what we achieved, the team felt it essential that all bases were covered and all of the foundational elements to our collective were embedded. We have welcomed some new faces to the core team, some outstanding individuals who have made significant impact to our events, shaping our message and planning the future. I’m so proud and grateful that some of those people have joined us.
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“It is undeniable there is still a lack of representation of the Black community within rugby union – in all echelons. However, it is important to celebrate the progress that has been made by recognising the achievements of black role models, in order to redress this imbalance.”
Votes can be made via this form.
Why? Surely skin colour is irrelevant to how good a rugby player you are?
Reverse racism. Imagine creating an awards ceremony for only white people. You would never hear the end of it.