Alex Mitchell toasts double success at Saints’ End of Season Awards

Alex Mitchell scooped both the Carlsberg Players’ Player and Travis Perkins Supporters’ Player of the Season gongs to steal the headlines at Northampton Saints’ End of Season Awards.

The scrum-half (also celebrating his 25th birthday on an unforgettable night at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens) joins a distinguished list of players to have won both awards during the same season at the Club – including the likes of David Ribbans, Cobus Reinach, Rob Horne, Louis Picamoles, Teimana Harrison and Samu Manoa.

Mitchell has been a standout performer in Black, Green and Gold this term, making more starts (26) than any other Northampton player and leading the Gallagher Premiership in try involvements this season with 10 league scores and 13 assists so far.

His livewire performances in a season where he also won Premiership Player of the Month (for November) and Saints Player of the Month (for April) awards won him the plaudits of his teammates and the Club’s loyal supporters alike – with just under 1,000 people casting their vote.

“It’s a huge honour to win both awards,” Mitchell said. “To get recognised by your own players – the boys who play with you, train with you, and share the changing room with you – is something I am very grateful for.

“Whenever we play at Franklin’s Gardens, the supporters play a huge part for the team, so to hear they have valued my contribution this year as well is also very humbling for me, a huge honour.

“Lewis Ludlam and Juarno Augustus were sat on the table towards the front of the room with me, and to be honest I thought they were both worthy of either of these awards, but somehow I’ve pipped them and I’m thrilled to do it.”

The 2021/22 End of Season Awards – presented by GRS and hosted by David Flatman – saw Saints roll out the red carpet for 400 people to attend a black-tie dinner in the Rodber Suite at Franklin’s Gardens.

It was also a night to remember for Alex Coles, with the 22-year-old forward capping off an outstanding year by scooping the Robinson Manufacturing Breakthrough Player of the Season prize.

MPA Try of the Season went to Tom Collins for his effort against Gloucester Rugby in Round 19 of the Gallagher Premiership, with James Grayson’s monster penalty in the dying moments of the Round 24 home clash against Harlequins voted GRS Moment of the Season to round off the prizes.

Several players also reached significant milestones during the 2021/22 season for making 50, 100 and 250 appearances for Northampton Saints, and were awarded their Club caps as part of the ceremony on Wednesday evening.

Northampton Saints 2021/22 End of Season Award winners

Carlsberg Players’ Player of the Season: Alex Mitchell
Travis Perkins Supporters’ Player of the Season: Alex Mitchell
Robinson Manufacturing Breakthrough Player of the Season: Alex Coles
Ewing Associates Young Player of the Season: Tommy Freeman
MPA Try of the Season: Tom Collins (vs Gloucester Rugby, Gallagher Premiership R19)
GRS Moment of the Season: James Grayson (penalty vs Harlequins, Gallagher Premiership R24)

50 appearances caps: Dan Biggar, Alex Coles, Matt Proctor, Sam Matavesi
100 appearances caps: Rory Hutchinson, David Ribbans
250 appearances glassware: Courtney Lawes, Mikey Haywood