The brothers, who play for London Irish and made their England debuts earlier this season, feature on shortlists released ahead of the May 13 awards ceremony.

Full-back Delon starred for England throughout the autumn Tests and RBS 6 Nations Championship, although he missed out on a place in the British and Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa this summer.

He is among five nominees for the prestigious players' player of the year, joining club colleague Seilala Mapusua, Northampton back Ben Foden, Newcastle fly-half Tom May and Sale Sharks back-row forward Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

Mapusua has proved a key figure in the London Irish back division this term, while Foden has shone for Northampton at full-back and scrum-half and May earned plaudits after stepping in impressively at fly-half following Jonny Wilkinson's latest serious injury.

Argentina international Lobbe, meanwhile, is one of the Premiership's unsung heroes, producing consistently high-class displays in a Sale side that could still reach the title play-offs.

Steffon Armitage will contest the young player of the year award, alongside Foden, Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care, Leicester flanker Tom Croft - the shock Lions squad omission - and Quins centre Jordan Turner-Hall.

Delon Armitage said: "It's a tremendous honour to be nominated by my peers for this award, and for Steffon and I both to be nominated is a fabulous surprise and a proud moment for our family.

"This has been a remarkable season for me, which will hopefully continue beyond this weekend, and to be nominated alongside the outstanding names on this list is a privilege I am both proud and humble to receive."

And Steffon added: "This season has been better than I dared to dream, and to be recognised by our fellow players for these awards is a huge honour."