Scotland flanker Hamish Watson has been named the 2021 Six Nations’ player of the championship after a poll which saw more than 125,000 votes cast by fans.
Watson, who put in a string of fine performances as Scotland beat England at Twickenham for the first time since 1983 before beating France for a first victory in Paris since 1999, secured 35% of the votes.
He missed only 14 minutes in five matches during the campaign with the 29-year-old successfully making all 55 tackles attempted as well as scoring one try and carrying 67 times for 321 metres.
The Edinburgh player beat the likes of last year’s winner Antoine Dupont from France, Wales’ Louis Rees-Zammit and Taulupe Faletau and Ireland duo Robbie Henshaw and Tadhg Beirne to claim the award.
“I’m very surprised, obviously loads of top players were up for the award. I think when you do win something like that, it’s full credit to the team I’m in as well,” Watson said.
“It shows what good teams you’re playing for. The Scotland team we’re all playing in at the moment is a great team and we really believe we can achieve things in the next few years.
“We think we’re heading in the right direction and full credit to the whole team because without them, boys can’t win these personal accolades.”
Scotland finished fourth in the Six Nations as their win in France in a postponed match handed Wales their second title in three years.