Bath Rugby's Zach Mercer has been been shortlisted for the 2016-17 Anglo-Welsh Cup Breakthrough Player Award and voting is now open. 

The Breakthrough Player Award is open to the best Under-23 players in the Anglo-Welsh Cup with shortlisted players named after each round from statistics compiled by the boffins at OPTA. All ten have made a huge impact on the competition. 

This year the competition is being supported by Citizen Watch UK who will provide the overall winner with the latest Citizen Skyhawk A-T watch and Gilbert who will supply £1,000 worth of kit to a grassroots club of the winner's choice.

Using OPTA match statistics, a forward and back from each round, along with two players with outstanding overall competition statistics form the shortlist.

To vote for your favourite click here before noon on Monday 13th March. The winner will be announced prior to the Anglo-Welsh Cup Final which is on Sunday 19 March at the Twickenham Stoop.

Launched in 2012, the Breakthrough Player Award celebrates and recognises those young players who have stood out in the tournament with previous winners Jack Nowell, Jonny May, Tom Collins and Ollie Devoto.  

Anglo-Welsh Cup Breakthrough Player Award Shortlist: 

Zach Mercer – Bath Rugby

Josh Adams – Worcester Warriors

Sam Simmonds – Exeter Chiefs

Tom Howe – Wasps

James Chisholm – Harlequins

Stu Townsend – Exeter Chiefs

Harry Mallinder – Northampton Saints

Cameron Orr – Gloucester Rugby

Jack Willis – Wasps

Tom Whiteley - Saracens