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Welsh rugby writers took part in the annual ballot with Taulupe Faletau coming out on top
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The back-rower will leave Newport Gwent Dragons to join Premiership side Bath next season
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Cardiff Blues flanker Ellis Jenkins has won the young player award in a breakthrough senior season
Wales and Newport Gwent Dragons Number 8 Taulupe Faletau has been awarded the Welsh Rugby Writers player of the year award.
Welsh rugby writers took part in the annual ballot with Faletau coming out on top ahead of Harlequins centre Jamie Roberts.
The back-rower, who is the cousin of England’s Billy and Mako Vunipola, was Wales most consistent player during their Six Nations campaign, noted specifically for his fierceness tackling and relentlessness at the breakdown.
It is the first time Faletau has won the award. Last year’s winner was scrum-half Rhys Webb who just pipped his Ospreys and Wales half-back partner Dan Biggar for the accolade.
Meanwhile, Ellis Jenkins has won the young player award in a breakthrough senior season for the former Wales Under-20 captain.
Jenkins has been outstanding for his region and is a contender to travel to New Zealand this summer with Warren Gatland’s squad especially given that Justin Tipuric has been ruled out of the trip after suffering a concussion.