2017 ARN Club Player of the Year

Americas players have along history of success at the club level, particularly in Europe, and 2017 again yielded trophies for players abroad. Djustice Sears-Duru captured a BT Scottish Premiership title with Ayr, and his Canadian front row mate Jake Ilnicki won the Aviva ‘A’ League with Northampton Wanderers. Jamie Cudmore led Oyonnax to a French Pro D2 title before hanging up the boots. DTH van der Merwe was a try-scorer when Scarlets overwhelmed Munster in the Guinness Pro 12 Final.

On the domestic front there was a third consecutive Rounsefell Cup win for Theo Sauder, and he led his UBC Thunderbirds to the inaugural Canadian University Championship on November. Phil Mack sparked the BC Bears to their first Canadian Rugby Championship since 2009, and Peter Malcolm was outstanding for the Austins Huns as they captured a USA Division 1 National Championship.

In South America there was another Argentinean title for Hindú with discarded Pumas reserve scrumhalf Felipe Ezcurra in outstanding form for his club. Over in Uruguay it was the Old Christians club who lifted the title, but perhaps the best player in the Campeonato was Juan Manuel Cat of runners-up Old Boys.

HONORABLE MENTION

Three Americas exports were victorious in the Cup Final of the biggest prize on European club rugby, the Champions Cup. Titi Lamositele was a late second half replacement for Saracens and Juan Figallo missed the final completely due to injury. Starting the match and playing significant parts in the win were Chris Wyles and Marcelo Bosch.

Wyles remains one of the most consistent performers for Saracens and at the age of 34 still commands a starting role for the club as he edges closer to the end of his glittering career. Bosch, a few months his junior, has held off the challenge of Nick Tompkins and Duncan Taylor to keep hold of the No 13 shirt. Both players have had exemplary seasons once again for one of the elite clubs in European rugby.

Without winning titles the Castres Olympique duo Rodrigo Capó Ortega and Benjamín Urdapilleta continue to set the standard in Europe. Capo Ortega is again captain this season after leading the club to a Top 14 quarter final place in 2016-17. Urdapilleta is arguably their most important player, first choice No 10 and one of the top points scorers in French rugby.

Our domestic nominees are no longer limited to Europe or indeed the Americas. Los Jaguares second season of Super Rugby was better than their first. Success, though, was not ultimately achieved by the team. There was one stand-out performer in second row Guido Petti. The 23-year-old from Buenos Aires was named in the official Super Rugby Dream Team at season’s end and put in a mighty effort in the Jaguares engine room.

The year started with Facundo Isa departing Los Jaguares. He signed for Toulon, the club in which he began his professional career. It would be Lyon where he would begin his return to the Top 14, however, joining the club in February before his Toulon contract began in July. For both clubs he has been outstanding, living up to his reputation earned last season as one of the premier ball carrying loose forwards in world rugby. He could return to the international arena sooner than anticipated with Argentina set to review their exiles policy in March.

THE WINNER

Another who could earn a recall is the outstanding Juan Pablo Socino. The Newcastle Falcons veteran was named in the official Aviva Premiership Dream Team as the best 12 in England following the 2016-17 season. Socino has followed it up by playing superbly in the new season, with brother Santiago also impressing. His ability to both take on the line and distribute accurately has led Newcastle to their highest spot in the Premiership rankings in years. For his top class play across the entire calendar year, Juan Pablo Socino is our 2017 ARN Club Player of the Year.