Will Rowlands and Alisha Butchers handed Wales player of the year awards by nation's rugby writers

Will Rowlands earned the Welsh Rugby Writers Association Lloyd Lewis Memorial Award after his first season with Dragons since joining them from Wasps

Lock Will Rowlands and flanker Alisha Butchers have been handed Wales player of the year awards by the Welsh Rugby Writers Association (WRWA).

Rowlands, 30, joins a host of Welsh rugby legends on the list of previous winners, including Phil Bennett, who passed away last weekend.

Butchers, 25, was handed the women's award after impressing during the Six Nations.

The campaign included her starring role in the victory over Ireland.

Dragons lock Rowlands earned respect and praise for his efforts during a difficult 2021-22 for Wales.

"It's very special. I am really honoured," said Rowlands of the award.

"I have snuck in there among some people of much greater pedigree than myself. I am really touched. It's great to make a little bit of history for myself.

"Playing for Wales means the world to me. After some good performances over the last year, this really puts the icing on the cake. It's awesome.

"From a personal point of view, it's been my most satisfying season of rugby, definitely so with Wales.

"The personal highlight for me was definitely the Scotland game at home in the Six Nations. It was the first match I had started at the Principality Stadium in the Championship. It was an important win for us and the atmosphere was incredible."

Beating Scotland was Wales' only 2022 Six Nations triumph as the 2021 champions ended the tournament fifth after a last-day home defeat by Italy.

Past WRWA top award winners include Gareth Edwards, Barry John, JPR Williams, Mervyn Davies, Bennett, Terry Holmes, Jonathan Davies, Scott Gibbs, Ieuan Evans, Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley, Scott Quinnell, Gareth Thomas, Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins, Shane Williams, Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny and Alun Wyn Jones.

Butchers accolade

Alisha Butchers has played 37 internationals for Wales

Butchers became one of the players who accepted first full-time professional contracts offered to women rugby players in Wales and will be a key figure in the World Cup later this year.

"I'm looking forward to the rest of the year ahead," said Butchers.

"I'm super happy with the progress we've made, it just shows what we can do with a bit of belief and hope.

"When I think of the roller-coaster we've been on, to finish third in Six Nations is brilliant compared to the wooden spoon we had last year.

"Having said that, you don't finish third and put your feet up.

"I love this environment, being pushed to my limit is what's making me perform and performing under pressure is what defines your character as an athlete.

"We work for the next thing now which is the World Cup. July is going to be hard, it's World Cup year, I'm a competitor, I want this more than ever.

"I'm proud of myself, I'm proud of the team and I'm excited to work even harder for the World Cup and to go out to New Zealand and perform well."

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