Steve Diamond of Sale is short-listed along with Wasps’ Dai Young, Exeter Chiefs’ Rob Baxter and Saracens’ Mark McCall for the Guiness Rugby Director of the Season prize.

It is a fitting honor for the Sharks boss, who guided the club not only to a third time top six finish but also helped them earn the right to play in the Champions Cup.

Having been nominated in 2014 as the former head coach of Russia, this is the second time that Diamond’s work at Sale Sharks has been recognized. On the shortlist, Diamond is joined by Saracens boss Mark McCall, who has recently guided the club to the Champions Cup. Having won the prize twice in the previous three seasons, McCall will be looking for a hat-trick.

Long-serving Exeter coach Rob Baxter, who guided the Chiefs to their maiden appearance in the play-offs, is also shortlisted for an outstanding season. Wasps rugby director Dai Young is nominated because of his outstanding services that helped the club transform the fortunes.

This group of four have made a great contribution this season and they fully deserve to be nominated.