Ireland's heroic rugby players missed out as France scrum-half Antoine Dupont was crowned Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship.
Dupont claimed 26 per cent of the 138,000 fans who voted for the award to win the trophy for a third time.
He adds it to his successes of 2020 and 2022 to become only the second player alongside Brian O’Driscoll to complete a hat-trick of wins.
Read more: Farrell gives Sexton ultimate title as he outlines Grand Slam trophy orders
Also on the shortlist were his Les Bleus’ team-mates Thomas Ramos and Damian Penaud and Ireland’s Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen.
Dupont was outstanding at the back end of the tournament, especially in the record victory over England at Twickenham in round four.
The 26-year-old France skipper has been acclaimed despite his side finishing runners up behind Grand Slam winners Ireland.
Andy Farrell’s champions supply 10 players to the team of the tournament, including the entire pack except Les Bleus lock Thibaud Flament.
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