Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton has been voted the Rugby Union Writers’ Club personality of the year.
The Pat Marshall Memorial Award is given to the outstanding rugby personality for the previous 12 months and was awarded to Sexton at the club’s annual dinner in central London.
The 33-year-old enjoyed a glittering 2018 which saw him crowned World Player of the Year after winning his third Six Nations title with Ireland – and first ever Grand Slam.
Under Sexton’s guidance, Ireland claimed 11 Test victories out of 12 last year including a historic win over New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium.
At club level the Leinster man enjoyed further success as he captained his side to a fourth European title beating Racing 92 in the Champions Cup final and a victorious Guinness PRO14 campaign.
Sexton replaces double Six Nations winner Owen Farrell as the Pat Marshall Award recipient, beating fellow Irishman Tadhg Furlong and Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt.
Former England and current Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster was also named on the shortlist for the award.
Sexton is currently sidelined with a calf problem but is expected to return to the fold to defend Ireland’s crown in the 2019 Guinness Six Nations.
