Former Prince Henry’s Grammar School pupil Danny Care (Harlequins) is on the shortlist for the Aviva Premiership player of the season.

Scrum half Care is one of two current England internationals among the six names unveiled by Premiership Rugby, the other being Leicester hooker Tom Younngs, both being strong contenders for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia this summer.

Prolific try-scorer Christian Wade has also been recognised for an outstanding campaign with Wasps by being nominated.

The 21-year-old wing has scored 11 Premiership tries this term - a figure bettered only by his Wasps colleague Tom Varndell - and he is viewed as a possible selection bolter for the Lions.

The other nominees are Saracens skipper Steve Borthwick, Leicester’s Australian flanker Julian Salvi and Gloucester’s Fijian back-row forward Akapusi Qera.

The winner will be announced at an awards dinner in London on Friday, May 9.

“We have enjoyed another breathtaking season on the pitch with so many matches going down to the wire,” said Phil Winstanley, Premiership Rugby’s rugby director.

“The length of the deliberations for the awards reflects the current standard of Aviva Premiership rugby. We had so many compelling candidates.”

Previous winners of the Premiership player award include current England captain Chris Robshaw, Saracens wing Chris Ashton and Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni.