O'Connell is Six Nations' best
Less than a week after lifting the Six Nations trophy Ireland captain Paul O'Connell has been awarded the Player of the Championship.
Securing over 26 percent of the public vote the Ireland No.5 received the backing of 18,842 fans.
This unique shortlist is decided through a combination of match statistics, analysing the best performing players across a set range of criteria, and a public vote.
The combination of the two processes should ensure the 12 man shortlist is a true reflection of the greatest players throughout the Championship.
Wales's Alun-Wyn Jones came in second with 19 percent of the vote, a nod to his heroic performance in the Welsh win against Ireland in Cardiff.
The race for third place was a hotly contested affair with just 0.9 percent of the votes separating Ireland's rising star Robbie Henshaw (third with 7750 votes) and Wales's Dan Biggar (fourth with 7681 votes). Italy's talisman Sergio Parisse was rewarded for his commanding performances, finishing fifth with seven percent of the votes, just ahead of England's star player Ben Youngs in sixth with six percent of the votes.
The Irish lock who made his 101st appearance during the Championship commented: "I'm delighted to receive the Player of the Championship Trophy.
"When you see the names that have gone before, you realise what a great honour it is. I'm very grateful for all the supporters who voted for me."
Players at every Six Nations match this year were awarded (or deducted) points based upon a number of different performance categories which cover all aspects of the game. These categories were proportionately weighted based on the different positions by an algorithm created by Six Nations statisticians.
Six Nations Player of the Championship shortlist:
Paul O'Connell, 18842 votes, 26.73 percent
Robbie Henshaw, 7750 votes, 10.99 percent
Dan Biggar, 7681 votes, 10.90 percent
Sergio Parisse, 4845 votes, 6.87 percent
Ben Youngs, 4778 votes, 6.78 percent
Stuart Hogg, 3671 votes, 5.21 percent
Jonathan Joseph, 2669 votes, 3.79 percent
Conor 2Murray, 588 votes, 3.67 percent
George Ford, 2349 votes, 3.33 percent
Jonny Gray, 1454 votes, 2.06 percent
Billy Vunipola, 216 votes, 0.31 percent
Player of the Championship - previous winners
2014 - Mike Brown
2013 - Leigh Halfpenny
2012 - Dan Lydiate
2011 - Andrea Masi
2010 - Tommy Bowe
2009 - Brian O'Driscoll
2008 - Shane Williams
2007 - Brian O'Driscoll
2006 - Brian O'Driscoll