Tuesday 9 January 2018 07:05, UK
England centre Owen Farrell has been voted the Rugby Union Writers' Club personality of the year for 2017.
Farrell was recognised at the club's annual dinner in central London and follows in the footsteps of previous Pat Marshall Memorial Award winners including Jonah Lomu, Jonny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson and Dan Carter.
The goal-kicking fly-half and centre enjoyed a superb year, helping England defend their Six Nations title and contributing to the British and Irish Lions' drawn series in New Zealand.
He was also instrumental in Saracens retaining their Champions Cup crown and was shortlisted for World Rugby's player of the year award for 2017.
Farrell came out on top in a poll of the RUWC's 200-plus members and was picked ahead of Exeter head coach Rob Baxter, Wales and Lions duo Jonathan Davies and Sam Warburton, and Saracens' England and Lions forward Maro Itoje.
The Special Award for a lifetime's contribution to rugby union went to Doddie Weir, the former lock forward who represented Melrose, Newcastle Falcons, the Borders, Scotland and the Lions squad of 1997.
