Scotland flanker Hamish Watson named Six Nations’ best player

More than 125,000 fan votes were cast, with the 29-year-old securing 35 per cent of the overall number

Hamish Watson in action for Scotland against Italy at this year’s Six Nations (Getty Images)

Scotland flanker Hamish Watson has been voted the player of the tournament from this year’s Six Nations.

More than 125,000 fan votes were cast, with the 29-year-old securing 35 per cent of the overall number.

Watson was a standout for the Scots side as they defeated England at Twickenham – for the first time since 1983 – and overcame France for a first Paris victory since 1999.

Watson missed only 14 minutes in five matches during the campaign and successfully made 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, as well as Ireland duo Robbie Henshaw and Tadhg Beirne, to claim the award.

Read more:

• How Carlos Carvalhal’s innovative tactics have taken Portugal by storm
• Liverpool’s rematch with Real Madrid is about more than revenge
• England Euro 2020 squad: Who’s on the bus, who could miss out? 
• British basketball has done so much with so little but its potential has never been greater
• England players must realise their power after passing up chance to protest over Qatar

“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 and to all of the guys who have won it previously,” 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.”

Read more: Five great matches from 2021 men’s Six Nations

Scotland finished fourth in the Six Nations as their win in France in a postponed match handed Wales their second title in three years.

Reuters