FULL-BACK Chris Pennell has today been nominated for the Aviva Premiership player-of-the-season award despite Worcester Warriors being bottom of the table.

The club centurion has been a stand-out performer during a difficult season at Sixways and played every minute of every Premiership game this campaign.

Pennell was given the role of vice-captain at the start of the season and signed a new three-year contract in December to pledge his future to the club.

Players of five different nationalities from six different clubs make up the six-man shortlist.