From becoming Saracens' all-time points scorer to helping the side to another European Rugby Champions’ Cup triumph, Owen Farrell has had a year to remember.

And the 25-year-old European Player of the Year has added another trophy to his burgeoning collection after being crowned Professional Player of the Year at the Crabbie’s National Rugby Awards at Twickenham on Wednesday.

England fly-half Farrell, who was also part of the memorable British & Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand this summer, was delighted at claiming the gong, and added his delight at meeting people who put in the hard yards at the grassroots level of the game.

“It’s like being in a local rugby club again, just a bit bigger!” said Farrell, who helped England retain their Six Nations title in February. “It’s been a brilliant evening, and it’s great to see the people get the recognition they deserve – all the way through the stages of rugby.

“It’s brilliant to be named player of the year – to get recognition like that is always great. There’s some good players up there and I’ve played in some good teams this year, so a lot of the credit is down to the team-mates too.

“Grassroots rugby is massive, it’s where 99 per cent of players start out – to be involved in a club and a community where you grow up, and learn about rugby and about being people as well – it’s a big part of every rugby player’s life.

“Whether it be sponsors, volunteers, players or schools, and to see how chuffed they are is pretty special.”

The Crabbie’s National Rugby Awards honours all that is great about rugby, from elite and international stars to the grassroots levels of the game.

Farrell’s international team-mate Chris Robshaw is an ambassador for the awards, now in their third year, and echoed his fellow player’s thoughts on the importance of rugby at the grassroots level.

“It’s where people find their love of the game,” said Harlequins flanker Robshaw. “If you want to grow the player pool in England and continue to produce players who go on play for professional sides or club sides, or international sides, it all starts at grassroots level.

“You’ve got people from all over the country come down to Twickenham to enjoy the occasion – that’s the important thing to remember.

“Everyone plays their part to make rugby clubs successful, whether that’s coaching, mini levels, boys, girls, kit, everyone has a role to play and it’s really important that awards like these really value those people.”

Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer passionately support rugby at all levels. To help amateur clubs thrive, they have launched Crabbie’s Rugby Rewards. Find out how your club can earn kit for every bottle of Crabbie’s sold in your clubhouse at www.crabbiesrugby.co.uk