Lions forward voted as Wales Player of the Year

Justin Tipuric was last night honoured as Wales Player of the Year on a glittering night at Cardiff Arms Park

The flanker received his trophy from the Welsh Rugby Writers’ Association at their 43rd annual awards dinner at Cardiff Arms Park.

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He held off a strong challenge from fellow Lions star Ken Owens, just two votes separating the pair in one of the closest ballots in years.

It was due reward for Tipuric’s consistent excellence on the openside last season, both for the Ospreys and Wales.

He’s the third player from his region to be chosen for the accolade in the past four years, following on from Alun Wyn Jones (2014) and Rhys Webb (2015), with Taulupe Faletau picking up the award 12 months ago.

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