Billy Vunipola has been shortlisted for the Rugby Players' Association young player of the season award - his second such nomination this season.

The 21-year-old backrow has excelled for Saracens this term, more than playing his part in the side's success as they reached the Premiership and Heineken Cup finals.

Speaking to the club's website, the Australian-born England cap said: “It feels very cool to be nominated in this category, there’s so many great young players out there, so like the Rhead Group England Player of the Year nomination, this means an awful lot to me.

"I can only thank all my teammates and coaches who have always showed an enormous amount of faith in me.”

Vunipola is one of six nominees, with the others being George Ford (Bath), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Jack Nowell (Exeter), Anthony Watson (Bath) and Owen Williams (Leicester).