George Ford wins Aviva Premiership player of the season as Bath, Exeter and Wasps dominate domestic rugby's dream team

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England and Bath fly-half George Ford win the top Premiership award
His father Mike won director of rugby of the season for his work at Bath
Bath, Exeter and Wasps each had four players in the team of the season
Wasps' Nathan Hughes is named the forward of the 2014-15 campaign
Henry Slade was chosen as the best player in domestic rugby under 23

Published: 17:55 EDT, 20 May 2015 | Updated: 07:36 EDT, 21 May 2015

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England and Bath fly-half George Ford has been crowned Aviva Premiership Player of the Season for 2014-15 to cap an outstanding year for club and country.

Ford has established himself as the World Cup hosts' first choice in the No 10 jersey ahead of Owen Farrell and has helped Bath reach the league play-offs for the first time since 2010.

The 22-year-old featured on a five-strong shortlist that included Wasps centre Elliot Daly and back row Nathan Hughes, Bath centre Jonathan Joseph and Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola.

Bath fly-half George Ford has been crowned Aviva Premiership Player of the Season

Ford attempts to tackle Gloucester's Brendan Macken (left) at the weekend at the Recreation Ground

Now England's first-choice fly half, Ford has capped off a remarkable season with the Premiership award

The Ford household was given double reason to celebrate at the Premiership's glittering awards ceremony in central London after George's father Mike was named director of rugby of the season for his work at Bath.

'George is a worthy recipient of this year's player of the season award,' Premiership Rugby's rugby director Phil Winstanley said.

'He has spear-headed an extremely talented backline at Bath and his control and composure at fly-half show a remarkable maturity for someone so young.

'This season he has cemented his position in the England team and we all hope he can take his fantastic form into the World Cup.'

Ford beat a shortlist of four others including team-mate Jonathan Joseph (left) and Wasps' Elliot Daly

Saracens No 8 Billy Vunipola lost out to Ford and Wasps' Nathan Hughes won forward of the year

Exeter playmaker Henry Slade, who has been included in England's World Cup training squad, was unveiled as the Premiership's best under-23 player.

Powerful Fijian-born back row Hughes was named forward of the season while the Premiership dream team was dominated by Bath, Exeter and Wasps, who each had four representatives.

The team of the season includes five players from countries other than England, six including Zimbabwean Dave Ewers who would long ago have qualified to play for England if picked.

Aviva Premiership 2014-15 Dream Team

Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby); Christian Wade (Wasps), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Sinoti Sinoti (Newcastle Falcons); George Ford (Bath Rugby), Joe Simpson (Wasps), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Jamie George (Saracens), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), Dean Mumm (Exeter Chiefs, capt), Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Francois Louw (Bath Rugby), Nathan Hughes (Wasps).