Six Nations 2014: England full-back Mike Brown named Player of the Championship

Brown also promises that England will come back even stronger nest year in their bid to win title

Andrew Baldock
Friday 21 March 2014 16:13 GMT
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England's Mike Brown celebrates after scoring a try during the Six Nations Rugby Union match between Italy and England at Rome's Olympic stadium (AP)
England's Mike Brown celebrates after scoring a try during the Six Nations Rugby Union match between Italy and England at Rome's Olympic stadium (AP)

England full-back Mike Brown has won the 2014 RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship award, tournament organisers have announced.

Brown, who was in blistering form throughout the Six Nations campaign, secured more than 34 per cent of a public vote to claim an accolade that went to Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny last season.

Some 68,000 people took part in the vote, with Brown's share of that being just over 23,400.

Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll finished second on 28 per cent, with his team-mate Andrew Trimble third.

O'Driscoll bowed out of Test rugby last weekend when he helped Ireland beat France to land a first Six Nations title since 2009 in the process.

A 16-man shortlist was drawn up based on match statistics and analysis across a set of criteria, before the public voted.

Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton, meanwhile, took fourth spot, ahead of Rob Kearney, with Scotland number eight David Denton sixth and England scrum-half Danny Care seventh.

Harlequins star Brown scored four tries for England during the campaign, had 65 carries and beat 25 defenders, while conceding no penalties and gaining more than 540 metres.

"I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who voted for me to be RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship," Brown said.

"I am extremely grateful and proud to win this award, particularly as it's decided by the supporters.

"It was disappointing not to win the tournament overall, but congratulations to Ireland, and I am sure we will come back stronger next season.

"Finally, a big thank you to all my team-mates, back-room staff, and coaches for all the help they've given me through the tournament. I couldn't perform on the field without them, and it's great to have that support."

PA

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