Ulster second-row Iain Henderson surprised his Ireland teammate Jacob Stockdale with the Six Nations Player of the Championship trophy on Friday.
Stockdale secured 32% of rugby fans’ votes as he edged out his Ireland teammates Conor Murray (18.2%), Jonathan Sexton (18%) and Keith Earls (14.5%) to win the award.
The 21-year-old winger has 11 tries through his first nine caps in an Ireland jersey and he became only the second player in the 137 year history of the Four/Five/Six Nations to score multiple tries in three consecutive games, and the first to do so since England’s Cyril Lowe completed the feat in 1914.
Here's the moment a very surprised looking @JacobStockdale found out he had won the NatWest @SixNationsRugby Player of the Championship! pic.twitter.com/qiWWWWDBKY
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) March 23, 2018
WATCH | From making his @SixNationsRugby debut to being a Grand Slam winner, try-scoring record holder, and Player of the Championship, @JacobStockdale looks back on what was a dream campaign… https://t.co/lrvyeBI07s
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) March 23, 2018
Commenting on the award, Stockdale said:
“It’s been a truly memorable few weeks, making my first NatWest 6 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 the NatWest 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.”
