O’Connell named Six Nations’ best player

Another week, another trophy lifting exercise for Paul O’Connell who was yesterday awarded the RBS Player of the Six Nations Championship.

The Championship winning skippered secured over 26% of the public vote which equated to the backing of 18,842 fans.

Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones was second with 19% of the vote while the race for third was a hotly contested affair with just 0.9% of the votes separating Ireland’s rising star Robbie Henshaw (3rd with 7750 votes) and Wales’s Dan Biggar (4th with 7681 votes).

Italy’s talisman Sergio Parisse was rewarded for his commanding performances, finishing 5th with 7% of the votes, just ahead of England’s star player Ben Youngs in 6th with 6% of the vote.

O’Connell said:”I’m delighted to receive the RBS Player of the Championship Trophy. When you see the names that have gone before, you realise what an honour it is. I’m very grateful for all the supporters who voted for me”.

Meanwhile, Debbie Jevans has resigned as chief executive of England’s World Cup 2015 organising committee, citing personal reasons.

A Rugby World Cup organising committee statement said Jevans leaves “with plans in excellent shape” and more than “1.9m tickets sold”. Stephen Brown will become the new managing director and working alongside chairman Andy Cosslett.