The quartet of number eight Ben Earl, centre Bundee Aki, wing Duhan van der Merwe and centre Tommaso Menoncello has been shortlisted for the individual accolade, having been selected by the highest amount of people in the fan vote for the Guinness Team of the Championship.
Whilst even the most casual of observers would have recognised the impact each of the nominated players had across the course of the Championship, the stats from Opta reinforce their inclusion in the shortlist.
Ben Earl (England, Saracens)
Never more instrumental than in England's shock victory against Ireland, Earl made the most carries of any player in the Guinness Men's Six Nations this year (73), while he recorded the most carry metres (419), metres in contact (127) and defenders beaten (24) of any forward. His tally of 73 carries was the third most by an England player in any edition of the competition since Billy Vunipola in 2016 (93) and Ben Cohen in 2002 (76).
Bundee Aki (Ireland, Connacht)
The lynchpin of Ireland's go-forward attack, Aki made 144 metres in contact in the Guinness Men's Six Nations this year - the most of any player. He also recorded the most carry metres (380) and joint-most line breaks (4) of any centre in the Championship in 2024. Additionally, the back-to-back title winner was one of just two centres to win multiple jackal turnovers (2, level with Italy's Juan Ignacio Brex).
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland, Edinburgh Rugby)
Duhan van der Merwe finished the Championship as joint-top try-scorer (5, along with Dan Sheehan). In fact, his tally was the joint-most by a Scotland player in a campaign, along with the five he scored in 2021. His three tries in a stunning performance against England saw him become the first Scotland player to score a hat-trick in a Calcutta Cup match in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations. He also made the most carry metres (355) and beat the most defenders (15) of any Scotland player in this year’s Championship, while making twice as many line breaks as any of his teammates (6).
Tommaso Menoncello (Italy, Benetton)
Tommaso Menoncello made the most metres in contact of any Italy player in this year’s Championship (79) and was one of two Azzurri players to make 300+ carry metres overall (303, along with Monty Ioane). He had the highest carry dominance rate (42%) and joint-highest gainline success rate (71%, with teammate Ross Vintcent) of any Italy player to make 10+ carries this year. Not only that, but the 21-year-old also made the most dominant tackles (8) and won the joint-most turnovers (4, also Juan Ignacio Brex) of any back in this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations.
Voting closes at 23:00 GMT on Sunday 24th March, so cast yours now!
