Mujati shortlisted

Rugby Player of the Season contenders that were named on Wednesday night.
The front rower, who is rated as one of the best props in the world, has been in terrific form for Northampton Saints this season where his side has dominated in forward play.
And he is highly expected to make a return to the Springboks for the South African international season and would be an advantage for South Africa as he is in good form and has Northern Hemisphere experience.
Mujati, together with three other club mates, have been nominated for the prestigious award as the current top four in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table are well represented on the five nominations.
Thomas Waldrom of leaders Leicester Tigers is nominated as Aviva Player of the Season, as is hooker Schalk Brits of second placed Saracens while Mujati’s Northampton Saints provide the other three nominees in the form of England duo Chris Ashton and Tom Wood, as well as the South African prop.
The top four clubs also provide four of the five nominees for QBE Director of Rugby of the Season in Richard Cockerill, Mark McCall, Bryan Redpath and Jim Mallinder.
Completing the quintet is Exeter Chiefs’ head coach Rob Baxter.
The strength of the English academy structure is in evidence once again in the Land Rover Discovery of the Season category.
English Qualified Player levels average 67,5 percent across the league this season and Harlequins lead the pack with an average of 76,8 percent EQP across all competitions.
Quins centre George Lowe is nominated and there is a second successive nomination for Sale Sharks back row forward James Gaskell.
The top three clubs then provide the makings of an interesting England back line of the future, with nominations for fly half Owen Farrell of Saracens, centre Manu Tuilagi of Leicester Tigers and Gloucester Rugby wing Charlie Sharples.
Award nominees Chris Ashton, Schalk Brits and Manu Tuilagi are also nominated for the MBNA Try of the Season award.
Finally, three back row forwards will compete for the Gatorade Performance of the Season award, with nominations for Leeds Carnegie’s England international Hendre Fourie, Exeter Chiefs’ Tom Johnson and Bath Rugby’s Springbok star Luke Watson.
Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Season nominees
Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints), Schalk Brits (Saracens), Brian Mujati (Northampton Saints), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints) – rugbyweek.com/sports reporter