- Saracens player has had an impressive tournament and is a strong contender
- But as the star of the winning team, Aki is considered the frontrunner for the honor
- PLUS: World Rugby introduces new rule changes and Leicester signs Corne Beets
England’s Ben Earl is on the four-man shortlist for the Six Nations Player of the Championship award.
Saracens striker Earl had an impressive tournament for Steve Borthwick’s side at number 8 as they finished third and showed positive steps forward in terms of results and performance. Irish center Bundee Aki, Scottish wing Duhan van der Merwe and Italian Tommaso Menoncello are the other players eligible to take home the trophy.
Given his importance and stellar performances for an Irish side that won its second consecutive title and narrowly missed out on successive Grand Slams, Aki is the favorite to win.
But Earl is a top contender.
He recorded the most carry meters of any player in the Nations with 73, while recording the most carry meters (419), meters in contact (127) and defenders beaten (24) of any forward.
England forward Ben Earl has been picked as one of the Six Nations players
Also nominated are Ireland’s Bundee Aki (left) and Duhan van der Merwe from Scotland (right)
He was outstanding as England claimed an impressive victory over Ireland at Twickenham in the fourth round and also in the narrow defeat to France in Lyon last weekend.
Meanwhile, World Rugby has confirmed the first step of implementing new ideas to speed up the game and make it more attractive to fans.
They include banning the controversial ‘Dupont law’, which has seen teams expose a flaw in rugby’s offside ruling and the ‘crocodile roll’ tackle.
Later this year, the possibility of handing in a red card for 20 minutes is also being considered.
Leicester Tigers have signed Junior Springbok No.8 Corne Beets on a long-term contract for next season. He will replace current South African international Jasper Wiese at Welford Road.