France's Bielle-Biarrey wins British writers' award

LONDON :France and Bordeaux-Begles winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey was named the British Rugby Union Writers' Club personality of the year on Thursday after an incredible season for club and country that could get better yet.

Bielle-Biarrey, 21, is the youngest winner of the Pat Marshall award since New Zealand wing Jonah Lomu in 1995.

He scored in every match of the Six Nations, claiming a tournament record of eight in all, to help France to the title.

His electric pace has been just as effective for Bordeaux-Begles, who are riding high in second place in the French Top 14 and who face Northampton in the European Champions Cup final in Cardiff on Saturday seeking to win the title for the first time.

In all, Bielle-Biarrey has scored a remarkable 31 tries in 27 games for club and country this season.

"It is really an honour for me to write my name next to these the legends of the game,” he told the RUWC on receipt of the trophy. “It is a big honour, and thank you to all the journalists.”

He is the third Frenchman to win the award, following Antoine Dupont in 2021 and Jean-Pierre Rives in 1981.

List of winners of the RUWC Pat Marshall award

1976 MERVYN DAVIES (Swansea and Wales)

1977 ANDY IRVINE (Heriot's FP and Scotland) 

1978 GARETH EDWARDS (Cardiff and Wales) 

1979 JPR WILLIAMS (Bridgend and Wales) 

1980 BILL BEAUMONT (Fylde and England) 

1981 JEAN-PIERRE RIVES (Toulouse and France) 

1982 OLLIE CAMPBELL (Old Belvedere and Ireland) 

1983 DAVE LOVERIDGE (Taranaki and New Zealand) 

1984 JIM AITKEN (Gala and Scotland) 

1985 MICK DOYLE (Ireland coach) 

1986 JONATHAN DAVIES (Neath and Wales) 

1987 DAVID KIRK (Auckland and New Zealand) 

1988 ROBERT NORSTER (Cardiff and Wales) 

1989 FINLAY CALDER (Stewart's-Melville FP and Scotland)

1990 IAN McGEECHAN