O’Driscoll Takes Second In Best Player Poll

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll has polled second to Grand Slam-winning Wales flanker Martyn Williams in the race to be named RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship.

O’Driscoll – so often Ireland’s lead attacking threat throughout the seven-week tournament – received 2,466 votes through the BBC Sport website poll.

Williams – the scorer of three tries in the 2005 campaign, with a memorable second-half brace against France – gained 7,796 votes with Wales winger Shane Williams coming in third on 2,066.

The 29-year-old Williams said: ”It’s a great honour to be named RBS Player of the Championship especially as this is voted for by rugby fans.

”This award caps a tremendous Six Nations for Wales and is as much a vote for my team-mates as for me.”

Leinster and Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy took the coveted award last year – polling half of the 12,000 votes collated with international team mate Paul O’Connell second.

Due to a groin injury, the 25-year-old D’Arcy played just 29 minutes of this year’s Championship, in the 28-17 opening weekend win over Italy.