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).
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