1
Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello scoops top Six Nations award
By PA
Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello has been voted player of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations, with Ben Earl the only England star to make the team of the tournament.
ADVERTISEMENT
At 21 years old, Menoncello is the youngest winner of the award and only the second Italian after Andrea Masi in 2011 to come out top in the poll decided by 146,000 fans.
Menoncello took 33 per cent of the vote, beating fellow shortlist nominees Earl, Ireland centre Bundee Aki and Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe.
“This is a huge surprise and honour. It is truly special to represent my country, and to wear the Italy jersey alongside my friends and team-mates,” Menoncello said.
“To then deliver performances that hopefully inspired the fans is what dreams are made of.”
Menoncello helped Italy achieve their best ever Six Nations performance of two wins and a draw through his big hits in defence and muscular carrying.
So I guess the rules are that if Antoine Dupont plays some matches, he wins player of the tournament, and if he doesn’t then its given to the best player playing for an overperforming-but-still-not-very-good team.
2020 was probably the last time that this trophy was won by the player who actually played best in that years tournament.