SAM PRENDERGAST WINS THE BKT RISING PLAYER OF THE SIX NATIONS

Irishman Sam Prendergast has won the "BKT Rising Player Award," the trophy awarded to the best revelation player of the Six Nations.

Prendergast, 22 years old, fly-half for Leinster (who are first in the BKT United Rugby Championship) and the national team of the "shamrock" - reigning Six Nations champion, which has won twenty-four times in history - debuted in the senior selection only last November, immediately standing out as one of the best players of his generation. Younger brother of Cian, also a national player, he already won the Under 20 Six Nations in 2023. In this edition, with 44 points scored, he is the second overall in the scorers' ranking.

The award, presented by Lucia Salmaso, Managing Director of BKT Europe, at the end of the 5th and final matchday of the competition, was assigned thanks to the votes of partner broadcasters.

BKT, leading company in the production of Off-Highway tires, Official Tire Partner of the Six Nations, both for men's and women's competitions, has identified in rugby the values it has always referred to: passion, physical effort, hard work, collaboration, teamwork, fair play, community, loyalty. And with the "Rising Player" award, the goal is to highlight the next generation of international rugby talents, inspiring emerging stars and fans around the world.

"It is an honor to present this recognition to a player who has demonstrated embodying the values of rugby and BKT, as well as establishing himself as one of the best young players on the world stage," said Lucia Salmaso, Managing Director of BKT Europe. "For the first time in its history, the Six Nations has a prize dedicated to emerging talents, a prize that means a lot to us at BKT, as we believe in the importance of nurturing talent and look forward to seeing many more flourish in future editions!"

In rugby as well as in football, where BKT has established a long tradition of individual awards such as the MVP of the Month of Serie BKT or the Rookie of the Month of Ligue 2 BKT. These awards are just a small part of BKT's role in sports, continuing to contribute to the success of the competitions it partners with, just as players do within a team.

In all its sponsorships, BKT carries out fan engagement activities, aiming to make them feel at the center of the action and provide them with unforgettable experiences. For this reason, in this edition of the Six Nations, we have connected with rugby fans, visiting them in their gathering places: pubs and clubhouses in England, France, Wales, Ireland, Italy, and Scotland.

Just enough time to celebrate with fans the winning national team and the Rising Player of the men's Six Nations, and the world of rugby is ready to ignite with the 24th edition of the Women's Six Nations: it starts on March 22, and BKT will also award the revelation player in this case. Ready to discover the new stars of women's rugby?