Welsh dominate awards short-list
Tournament favourites Wales dominate the final shortlist for the official 2012 Six Nations Player of the Championship.
With Wales favourite to lift the trophy on Saturday, four Wales names dominate the shortlist of 12 – with Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Alex Cuthbert and Mike Philips all receiving a nod.
Despite not being in the running for the title this year, France has three votes with Julien Malzieu, Yoann Maestri and Imanol Harinordoquy all making the shortlist.
The two teams battling to avoid the wooden spoon have also made the list. Scotland has two nominations with David Denton and Ross Rennie, while Italy captain Sergio Parisse also makes the final list.
The most noticeable absence this year is England, who do not have any players on the shortlist.
Finally Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton and Donnacha Ryan will be looking to take the award back to Dublin, after it was won by their teammate Tommy Bowe in 2010 and former Ireland player Brian O’Driscoll in 2009.
All players recognised by the relevant television host broadcaster as Man of the Match during the first four weekends of the Championship were automatically placed in contention for the prestigious award.
The winner will be chosen by rugby fans from across the six nations who are being asked to vote for their Player of the Championship, based on performance, form and achievement.
Fans can vote for the 2012 Player of the Championship at www.rbs6nations.com and voting will remain open until midnight on Sunday, March 18.
Once the votes have been counted and verified, the announcement of the official Player of the Championship will be published on next Wednesday, March 21.
