Ireland flyhalf Sexton wins Rugby Union Writers' Club award

Sexton received the prestigious Pat Marshall award at the club's annual dinner in central London on Monday following a remarkable 12 months that also saw him crowned world player of the year.

The 33-year-old, who topped a poll of the RUWC's 200-plus members, has acted as Ireland's general during a run of 11 wins from 12 tests including a superb victory over New Zealand on Irish soil.

He was also instrumental in Leinster's march to a fourth European title after Racing 92 were toppled in the Champions Cup final in May.

Sexton succeeds England flyhalf Owen Farrell as holder of the Pat Marshall trophy and follows in the footsteps of previous greats to have won such as Gareth Edwards, Jonah Lomu, Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson.

Ireland dominated the vote with head coach Joe Schmidt and tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong also among the five nominees who polled most for the award as was Stuart Lancaster for his success as Leinster's senior coach.

The final name among the nominees was South Africa flanker Siya Kolisi, who last year became the first black player to captain the Springboks' test team. (Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru Editing by Toby Davis)