The modest Wales openside flanker earned the accolade after receiving nearly 8,000 of the 23,000 votes cast by the public, to beat off the challenge of Ireland captain Brian ODriscoll and countryman Shane Williams.

There were a number of guys in the Wales team who could have easily won the vote, to be honest, said the 29-year-old forward.

At the start of the tournament I was just hoping to make the Wales 22 and I thought my best hope of playing was starting on the replacements bench.

So to win this award and for everyone to vote for me is something to savour.

A neck injury looked like ruling Williams out of contention for the opening game against England, but he recovered to lead out Wales at the Millennium Stadium for his 50th cap.

And Williams also had the last say in the championship campaign when he kicked the ball into touch ahead of the final whistle against Ireland.

In between, he scored two of Wales tries which saw them launch an amazing second-half comeback against France.

When you are a number seven you are so reliant on other parts of your team going well. he said.

And everything has gone so well for Wales that any number seven playing in this Welsh side would look really good.

You are on the front foot nine times out of 10, so I cant speak highly enough of the front five because they have more than held their own.

Im just really lucky to be part of such a great side. What we have achieved hasnt really sunk in yet.