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Hogg named Six Nations Player of the Championship for second year running
By Peter Hanson
Stuart Hogg has been named as the Six Nations Player of the Championship for the second year running with almost a quarter of the vote.
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The Scotland full-back, who is the first player since Ireland Brian O’Driscoll 10 years ago to win the prize in consecutive years, took home the award 12 months ago and reclaimed the prize after another stellar showing over the tournament.
Hogg started as he meant to go on with two tries in Scotland’s sublime 27-22 opening-round win against Ireland that set the tone for a tournament that saw them win three matches in Vern Cotter’s final championship.
Another score followed in the losing effort against France before he set up tries in Scotland’s defeats of Wales and Italy.
2 – @StuartWHOGG_ is just the 2nd player (@BrianODriscoll in 06 & 07) to be named 6N Player of the Tournament in consecutive years. Double.
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) March 23, 2017
His absence was sorely noticed when he went off injured in the 61-21 Calcutta Cup battering at the hands of England that ended their hopes of winning the title.
However, Hogg rebounded to help Scotland round off their campaign with a 29-0 win over Italy.
BREAKING | Stuart Hogg voted RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship for the second year running! Here’s the moment he found out! #AsOne pic.twitter.com/iVXZn00FyK
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 23, 2017
“To receive this award again is an absolute honour, particularly when you take other players on the shortlist into account,” Hogg said.
“I’m delighted to be awarded the Player of the Championship Trophy and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted and the fans for their continued support throughout the Championship.”
Hogg earned 24.60 per cent of the public vote, with Ireland’s CJ Stander (14.95 per cent) second and Louis Picamoles (12.84 per cent) of France third on the 12-man shortlist.
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England retained the title and Joe Launchbury was the highest placed of Eddie Jones’ squad in fourth.
