'He has a gift': Dupont voted best player in the 2022 Six Nations

France captain and scrum-half Antoine Dupont has been named the Guinness Six Nations player of the championship for a second time after picking up nearly 50 per cent of the votes from a shortlist that Ireland back row Josh van der Flier and French teammate Gregory Alldritt.

The three nominees for the 2022 player of the championship were decided by a representative panel of media covering this year’s tournament. The panel were looking for players that made an outstanding contribution to the championship, their team’s campaign, and individual performances across the five rounds of fixtures.

The shortlist was then put to a fan vote via Six Nations social and digital channels, with Dupont garnering nearly half of the votes. Having previously won the award in 2020, Dupont joins a privileged few to win the award more than once, with Scotland’s Stuart Hogg claiming the prize in 2016 and 2017 and Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll named player of the championship in 2006, 2007 and 2009.

The France star is the reigning World Rugby player of the year and Top 14 player of the year, picking up both titles in 2021. Dupont can now add the 2022 Six Nations player of the championship to his tally having led France to its first Grand Slam since 2010.

Six Nations CEO Ben Morel said: “Antoine is an incredibly worthy winner of this year’s title. He is a truly special player and central to a France team that goes from strength to strength.

"He also has a gift to put fans on the edge of their seats whenever he has his hands on the rugby ball. This year’s championship was incredible for so many reasons, and the final game in Paris was a fitting finale with Antoine and his team winning a Grand Slam.

"With so many outstanding performances from the teams and players, the panel deciding this year’s award shortlist had a very difficult challenge and I would like to congratulate to Josh and Gregory for their nomination and on their performances throughout the championship.”