Spencer and Marshall nominated for English club award

Carlos Spencer of Northampton and Leeds' Justin Marshall. Getty images / Bryn Lennon, Stu Forster

Former All Blacks halves Carlos Spencer and Justin Marshall lead the nominations for the English Professional Rugby Players' Association player of the year award.

The New Zealand duo are joined on the list by London Irish captain Mike Catt, Bristol halfback Shaun Perry and Sale flanker Jason White, with the winner announced on May 10.

First five-eighth Spencer is favourite to claim the award following a string of scintillating displays which have inspired Northampton's climb up the Premiership table.

Marshall will not be far behind in the voting after emerging as the competition's outstanding halfback, although his efforts were not enough to prevent Leeds' relegation

England World Cup-winner Catt would be a popular choice as he has been a key component in London Irish's surprise league title bid and their charge into the European Challenge Cup final.

Big-hitting Scotland skipper White helped Sale to the Heineken Cup quarterfinals and the Sharks are also favourites to win the Premiership.

Halfback Perry is on course to win his first international cap on England's summer tour to Australia after shining for Bristol in their return to the top-flight.

Leicester and England winger Tom Varndell, the Premiership's leading try-scorer, is favourite to win the young player of the year award.

His rivals are Northampton centre Jon Clarke, flanker Magnus Lund of Sale, Wasps back row Tom Rees and Newcastle winger Mathew Tait.

- NZPA