Owen Lane has been voted Welsh rugby’s most promising player at the Welsh Rugby Writers Association awards.
The Cardiff Blues academy graduate enjoyed a stunning campaign for his home region, scoring an impressive nine tries in his last 10 outings and duly awarded the Peter Thomas Player of the Season.
His fine form was rewarded with a call-up to Wales’ 42-man training squad for the Rugby World Cup and is one of only two uncapped players involved.
Lane becomes the third Blues star to pick up the award in the last four years, following in the footsteps of Ellis Jenkins (2016) and Jarrod Evans (2018).
Incoming team-mate, Josh Adams, was named runner-up for the award, having been in blistering form for both Worcester Warriors and Wales and playing a key part in the Grand Slam success earlier this year.
Adams is also targeting a place in Warren Gatland’s plans for the World Cup in Japan, and will link up with Wales’ Capital Region later in the year.
Head coach John Mulvihill has paid tribute to both players and is excited at the prospect of seeing them shine on the Arms Park pitch this season.
“Owen fully deserves this recognition after a fantastic season for the region,” said the Australian.
“His attributes make him a perfect fit within our group, and his form is down to his own hard work, determination and consistent performances.
“He was disappointed with an injury early in the season, but worked his way back into fitness and really backed himself in the second half of the season to earn his place in the Wales training squad.
“Josh also had a superb season, and was one of the stand-out players for Wales during the Six Nations.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming him to the Arms Park in the new season, and there is real competition for places in the matchday 23, which is what we’re targeting.
“The squad is packed of players between the ages of 21-27 who have the skill, desire, talent and determination to succeed and this really encapsulates what we’re about as a group. We’re creating a competitive and positive environment to develop young talent both on and off the field.”
Wales’ Grand Slam-winning captain Alun Wyn Jones picked up the Player of the Year award ahead of international team-mate Liam Williams, who also had both domestic and continental honours with Saracens.