The 26-year-old has been influential in Leinster’s assault on the Magners League and Heineken Cup, featuring 18 times for the province this season.

And the Ireland international, who follows in the footsteps of Gordon D’Arcy, Felipe Contepomi, Bernard Jackman and Rocky Elsom, was quick to praise his coach.

He said: “It is a huge honour to receive this award and I'd like to thank Bank of Ireland for their generosity.

“I don't think I've ever received an award of this stature before on an individual basis and I wouldn't like to take too much credit because I couldn't have achieved this without my team-mates and coaches.

“The way the Leinster squad has been managed this year has kept guys fresh for every game and that has affected me positively, touch wood.

“It's also down to Cheiks' (Michael Cheika) ability to rotate the squad, the fitness coaches for keeping us fit and healthy, and everyone on the squad pushing each other because of the competition that's there.”