Roberts named top Lion

Johannesburg - Centre Jamie Roberts, who was absent from the third Test against South Africa because of injury, has been named as the HSBC Player of the Series for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

The vote was made by members of the British and Irish media who have followed the tour which ended 2-1 to the Springboks.

Roberts played alongside Brian O'Driscoll in the centre during the tour which finished on Saturday with a Lions victory in Johannesburg.

Speaking on his award Roberts said he was delighted to be named as Player of the Series.

"This tour has been a brilliant experience and I would like to dedicate this award to the hard work and effort put in by a lot of people in the squad and management."

Roberts led the voting which was done after each of the 10 matches on the Tour.

In second place was Simon Shaw followed by Tommy Bowe.