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O’Connell Voted Player Of The Championship

O’Connell Voted Player Of The Championship

Less than a week after lifting the RBS 6 Nations trophy, Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has won the RBS Player of the Championship award. Securing over 26% of the public vote, the Limerick man received the backing of 18,842 fans.

This unique shortlist is decided through a combination of match statistics, analysing the best performing players across a set range of criteria, and a public vote. The combination of the two processes should ensure the 12 man shortlist is a true reflection of the greatest players throughout the 2015 Championship.  
 
Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones came in second with 19% of the vote, a nod to his heroic performance in the Welsh win against Ireland in Cardiff. The race for third  place was a hotly contested affair with just 0.9% of the votes separating Ireland’s rising star Robbie Henshaw (third with 7750 votes) and Wales’ Dan Biggar (fourth with 7681 votes).

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Italy’s talisman Sergio Parisse was rewarded for his commanding performances, finishing fifth with 7% of the votes, just ahead of England’s star player Ben Youngs in sixth with 6% of the votes.
 
Paul O’Connell, who made his 101st Ireland appearance against Scotland last weekend, commented: “I’m delighted to receive the RBS Player of the Championship trophy. When you see the names that have gone before, you realise what a great honour it is. I’m very grateful for all the supporters who voted for me.”

Players at every RBS 6 Nations match this year were awarded (or deducted) points based upon a number of different performance categories which cover all aspects of the game. These categories were proportionately weighted based on the different positions by an algorithm created by RBS 6 Nations statisticians.

2015 RBS PLAYER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP – SHORTLIST:

1. Paul O’Connell – 18,842 votes – 26.73%
2. Alun Wyn Jones – 13,645 votes – 19.36%
3. Robbie Henshaw – 7,750 votes – 10.99%
4. Dan Biggar – 7,681 votes – 10.90%
5. Sergio Parisse – 4,845 votes – 6.87%
6. Ben Youngs – 4,778 votes – 6.78%
7. Stuart Hogg – 3,671 votes- 5.21%
8. Jonathan Joseph – 2,669 votes – 3.79%
9. Conor Murray – 2,588 votes – 3.67%
10. George Ford – 2,349 votes – 3.33%
11. Jonny Gray – 1,454 votes – 2.06%
12. Billy Vunipola – 216 votes – 0.31%

Total Votes: 70,488

RBS PLAYER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP – WINNERS:

2015 – Paul O’Connell
2014 – Mike Brown
2013 – Leigh Halfpenny
2012 – Dan Lydiate
2011 – Andrea Masi
2010 – Tommy Bowe
2009 – Brian O’Driscoll
2008 – Shane Williams
2007 – Brian O’Driscoll
2006 – Brian O’Driscoll