Northampton skipper Pat Lam was nominated the rugby writers' personality of the year at a glittering dinner in London's Café Royal last night.
The Samoan international beat stiff competition from England captain Martin Johnson, following the successful Autumn international series and Jason Leonard, who became England's most capped player in the same series.
Picture: Pat Lam receives the accolades from Saints fans after Northampton's Heineken Cup win (Allsport)
Wearing a sling following his shoulder operation the back row, who led his club to the European title last season confessed to being "embarrassed" about taking the award ahead of such illustrious competition but was honoured to become the first Samoan win it in the rugby writers' 40-year history.
Lam, who also helped Newcastle win the Allied Dunbar Premiership under Rob Andrew in 1998, learned this week that the injury to his shoulder is not as bad as suspected meaning he will not be retiring and returnig to Samoa just yet.
Saracens centre Tim Horan, last year's winner after his exploits in the World Cup with the Wallabies, handed Lam the trophy that he was unable to collect in person last year because he was still playing Down Under.
A special prize went to Scotland and British Lions coach Jim Telfer for his unstinting service to the game having been involved in all Scotland's Five Nations successes for the best part of three decades and Italian prop Massimo Reggiardo won the overseas personality award.
Guest speaker at the event, attended by Andy Blyth, the Sale winger who was paralysed last season, was former Northampton lock and England international Martin Bayfield who donated his fee to the fund raising money for Blyth, now able to walk with the help of crutches.
Mr Bayfield, who is currently at work starring in the upcoming Harry Potter movie in which he plays the giant, as Robbie Coltrane's body double, was highly amusing and a good night was had by all.