Bath Rugby Academy hooker Tom Dunn has been nominated in round three's LV= Breakthrough Player shortlist.
Dunn becomes the first Bath Rugby player to make the list of nominees for the 2014/15 award, as well as the first front-rower to make the list. His nomination is as a result of the hooker’s dynamic play around the park against Harlequins, where he made 15 tackles without missing a single hit. Only his teammate Guy Mercer managed more - an incredible stat for any front rower.
The 22-year-old from Chippenham also made five carries, and in a tight game averaged a better gain per carry than any other front-five forward on the day. Despite misplacing a couple of lineout throws, the prop-turned-hooker more than made up for it with his strong scrummaging and was part of a Bath pack that won all five of their scrums, from which they forced two penalties and a penalty try. This proved pivotal in a two-point win for the West Country side.
Dunn is nominated alongside Newport Gwent Dragons centre Tyler Morgan.
Tom Dunn stats:
Carries – 5
Average gain (m) – 3.2
Tackles/Misses - 15/0
Scrums Won/Lost – 5/0
Lineout Throws Won/Lost – 4/2
Launched in 2012, the LV= Breakthrough Player Award celebrates and recognises those young players who have stood out in the tournament. Last season, Bath Rugby's Ollie Devoto won the award. Using Opta match statistics, a forward and back from each round, along with two players with outstanding overall competition statistics will form a shortlist, which will be submitted to a fan vote on www.lv.com/rugby after Round 4 (07/08 February). The winner will be announced prior to the LV= Cup Final and LV= will donate £1,000 to a grassroots rugby initiative of their choice.
The LV= Breakthrough Player Award is designed to recognise the next generation of young players. For more information on the LV= Breakthrough Player Award visit www.LV.com/rugby
