Rugby

Stockdale named Six Nations Player of the Championship

21-year-old winger wins public vote ahead of Murray and Sexton after record seven tries

Jacob Stockdale has been voted the 2018 Six Nations Player of the Championship. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Fri Mar 23 2018 - 11:19

Jacob Stockdale has been voted the 2018 Six Nations Player of the Championship.

The 21-year-old winger scored a record seven tries in his maiden tournament, as Ireland conquered all to claim a historic Grand Slam.

Stockdale made his international debut last June against the USA and has gone on to start nine Tests - scoring 11 tries and coming out on the winning side in each fixture.

And he received 32 per cent of the public vote - eclipsing fellow Championship winners Conor Murray (18.2%) and Jonathan Sexton (18%).

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Keith Earls finished fourth with 14.5% of the vote after a stellar campaign on the opposite wing, with Italy's impressive Matteo Minozzi coming fifth with 13.2%.

In winning the award Stockdale follows in the footsteps of fellow Ulster winger Tommy Bowe, who was named player of the Championship in 2010.

On receiving the award, Stockdale said: "It's been a truly memorable few weeks, making my first Six Nations appearance, winning the Championship then going on to complete the Grand Slam against England. Breaking the try-scoring record was the cherry on top!

“It’s an absolute honour to win Player of the Championship, especially when you look at the amazing calibre of those shortlisted. Thank you to everyone who voted and for all the fans who gave us so much support throughout the Championship.”

Player of the Championship voting results:
Player Votes Percentage
Jacob Stockdale 25,114 32%
Conor Murray 14,278 18.2%
Jonathan Sexton 14,163 18%
Keith Earls 11,410 14.5%
Matteo Minozzi 10,394 13.2%
Guilhem Guirado 3,181 4.1%

Player of the Championship - previous winners:
2017 - Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
2016 - Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
2015 - Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
2014 - Mike Brown (England)
2013 - Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
2012 - Dan Lydiate (Wales)
2011 - Andrea Masi (Italy)
2010 - Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
2009 - Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
2008 - Shane Williams (Wales)
2007 - Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
2006 - Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
2005 - Martyn Williams (Wales)
2004 - Gordon D'Arcy (Ireland)

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