Saracens stars miss out on Players' Player of the Year shortlist as rivals vote against the unpopular Aviva Premiership side

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Saracens players have been snubbed by their Aviva Premiership rivals with none nominated for the prestigious Players’ Player of the Year award, run by the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA).

The Barnet club have dominated the Aviva Premiership all season, but are not widely popular, as the shortlist – voted for by the players themselves – reveals.

The Wasps-dominated line-up includes George Smith, Nathan Hughes and Charles Piutau with Thomas Waldrom of Exeter Chiefs and, most surprisingly, Newcastle’s Andy Goode completing the list of nominees.

Nathan Hughes (left) has been nominated for the Players’ Player of the Year award, run by the RPA

He is joined on the shortlist by Wasps team-mate George Smith, who has had an impressive campaign

Newcastle’s Andy Goode completed the list of nominees despite playing only playing seven matches this term

Goode came out of retirement in January to play only seven matches for the Falcons this term, before hanging up his boots again.

The veteran fly-half said: ‘To be voted for this award is a great honour especially as I only played seven times this season.

‘It’s a massive privilege and I really enjoyed my time at Newcastle, everyone made me feel very welcome and hopefully I played a hand in helping them stay up in the Aviva Premiership.’

He later tweeted that he had voted for George Smith.

Saracens scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth was particularly miffed by his teammates missing out, tweeting a gif of Kanye West saying ‘Are you serious right now?’ below the title ‘The RPA nominations’.

Saracens scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth tweeted his shock at his team-mates being left out

Waldrom is the league’s top scorer, with 13 tries, and won the award in 2011. All Black Piutau has had a stunning year in the Wasps backline, as has Hughes in their pack. The No 8 qualifies for England after their tour to Australia.

But it is Australian flanker Smith who is the clear favourite for the prestigious award. The evergreen 35-year-old’s work at the breakdown and link play has been particularly impressive.

All Blacks star Charles Piutau has had a stunning year in the Wasps backline and is shortlisted 

Exeter star Thomas Waldrom is the league’s top scorer, with 13 tries, and won the award in 2011

Smith’s talent is so valued that he was asked by Eddie Jones to help England’s back-rowers make the most of their talents during the Six Nations.

The RPA also announced the shortlist for the Young Player of the Year. Wasps' Elliot Daly, Leicester's Harry Thacker, Saracens' Maro Itoje, Northampton's Harry Mallinder and Harlequins' Jack Clifford all were nominated.

The ceremony takes place on May 11 at Battersea Evolution in London.