Dan Lydiate, the Wales flanker, has been named the Six Nations player of the tournament to round off a wonderful championship for Warren Gatland’s team who secured on Saturday their third grand slam in eight years.
More than 30,000 public votes were registered, almost double that of last year, as Lydiate triumphed from a 12-man shortlist that included three of his Wales team-mates.
Lydiate collected more than 25 per cent of the vote, while Jonathan Sexton, the the Ireland fly half, was second with 12 per cent and Sergio Parisse, the Italy captain, third with 11.6. Lydiate was man of the match in the wins over Scotland and France, where his crunching tackles and huge appetite for work from the blindside position have turned him into a crowd favourite.
“I am really surprised to be honest. I am genuinely chuffed to bits,” Lydiate said. “It tops off an amazing competition for me and for Wales. To be part of such a talented Wales team and win the grand slam in Cardiff on Saturday was incredible in itself but to then be voted player of the championship is absolutely unbelievable.
“It is a massive honour to win, especially given the quality of the other players up for the award.”
Advertisement
The player of the championship award shortlist was compiled from the man of the match winners, awarded by the host broadcasters for the first four weekends.
England, who finished second in the championship and won four of their five games, did not have a player on the shortlist.
Did Lydiate deserve the honour? Vote in our poll on the tab above