Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has been voted Player of the Six Nations championship for the second year in a row.

The British and Irish Lions centre led Ireland to a second successive Triple Crown, but saw his side edged out of top spot by France thanks to a last minute try by Vincent Clerc in Croke Park.

O'Driscoll was not playing in that game due to a hamstring injury but he returned to lead the demolition of England in Croke Park, ahead of wins over Scotland and Italy.

He was voted the tournament's top player by fans on  the official Six Nations website, who were asked to pick their first choice 15 after each weekend of the tournament.

He emerged as the clear winner with twice the amount of votes as his nearest challenger.

The former Lions captain admitted today that he was surprised by the news, but grateful nonetheless.

"There were some outstanding players and performances in this years RBS 6 nations Championship, so I was very surprised to learn that I had been voted as player of the tournament.

"I am obviously honoured and delighted to have won this accolade and would like to thank those fans who voted for me," O'Driscoll said in a Six Nations statement.

O'Driscoll's selection may surprise some observers as well. Many felt the centre did not reach the heights he is capable of.  His central partner Gordon D'Arcy, for instance, proved more consistent and was immense in each of the five games he featured in - driving Ireland forward at every opportunity.

The former Clongowes man won the battle of the statistics anyhow, with the most offloads and most carries, according to the official figures.

Girvan Dempsey's performances were nearly flawless and the much maligned fullback even chipped in with three crucial tries.

France srumhalf Pierre Mignoni can count himself unlucky also, after his creativity and relentless sniping kept him head and shoulders above the rest in a competitive position.