Rugby

Eight Irish in Six Nations team of the tournament as Menoncello named best player

Three backs and five forwards for Ireland named in best team, as Aki misses out on top award

Italy's centre Tommaso Menoncello. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Fri Apr 5 2024 - 15:31

Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello was named the player of the 2024 Six Nations Championship on Friday, after winning 33 per cent of the votes cast by 146,000 rugby fans.

The 21-year-old won out ahead of England flanker Ben Earl, Ireland centre Bundee Aki and Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe to become the youngest winner of the award and only the second Italian, after Andrea Masi won in 2011.

"This is a huge surprise and honour to be named the Six Nations Player of The Championship. It is truly special to represent my country, and to wear the Italy jersey alongside my friends and teammates," Menoncello said.

"To then deliver performances that hopefully inspired the fans is what dreams are made of. Winning this award is testament to the achievements of the entire Italy team, and a sign of the exciting journey we are taking with Italian rugby."

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Menoncello was at the heart of Italy’s most successful Six Nations campaign, as they secured wins over Scotland and Wales alongside a draw in France, forging an impressive partnership with Ignacio Brex.

Ireland had eight players in team of the tournament - Aki, James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park, Caelan Doris, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Dan Sheehan and Andrew Porter.

Italy, France and Scotland had two players included, with one from England.

Team of the Championship: Thomas Ramos (France); Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), Bundee Aki (Ireland), Tommaso Menoncello (Italy), James Lowe (Ireland); Finn Russell (Scotland), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland); Andrew Porter (Ireland), Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Uini Atonio (France); Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Joe McCarthy (Ireland); Caelan Doris (Ireland), Michele Lamaro (Italy), Ben Earl (England).

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