England captain Phillips picked up the award in Scotland on Sunday evening after leading his country to a maiden tournament success in Wellington and a first win in five years in London.

Those two victories helped England finish third in the overall World Series table, and Phillips was clearly delighted after picking up his award at Murrayfield.

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“It’s been a fantastic year personally and collectively for our team and to captain any England side is a huge honour,” said the 26-year-old. “I was surprised to be on the shortlist of nominees for the award, so to win and be named as the best sevens player in the world is really special.

“There’s a lot of players who’ve graced that turf who are pretty special too, some get recognised, some don’t, and fortunately for me people have picked me out,” he added.

Phillips, who joins Stade Francais from Newcastle Falcons, is only the second Englishman to win the award, following Simon Amor in 2004.

“I’ll be able to tell my grandkids when I’m looking slightly older than I do already that that was me and I was involved in that,” added Phillips.

Sonny Bill Williams’ arrival in Australia – to play for the Barbarians against the Wallabies – has certainly stirred up emotions. The former rugby league star is back in Australia for the first time since walking out on the Bulldogs to join Toulon at the beginning of the season.

Fellow rugby league convert Timana Tahu – who is hoping to be named in the Wallabies’ squad – said Williams would be singled out for special attention in the June 6^th match in Sydney. “I think everyone wants to have a crack at Sonny Bill. All the press sees that, and he’s put a target on his forehead, the big fella,” he said.

“He’s a big boy and it’s a big challenge for him more than it is for us, to prove to himself that he can play against the best, which he’ll be coming up against this week. If I get the chance I’ll just be another bloke trying to get at him,” added Tahu.

But Williams should be able to cope with the media-frenzy surrounding his return having won his first professional boxing match last week, when he beat the fantastically named Gary ‘The Baboon’ Gurr with a second-round knockout in Brisbane on Wednesday to raise funds for an anti drugs charity.

The 23-year-old was labelled ‘most hated Australian’ by Zoo magazine shortly after his abrupt departure from the Bulldogs, but his form this season for Toulon in Top 14 has silenced critics who wishing for him to fail. He has even been talked about as a possible future All Black, although the player himself has recently played down that suggestion.

“In New Zealand they’ve got plenty of talent so they’re not going to be knocking on my door to get back there any time soon,” said the Kiwi born Williams.

He is likely to play in the centres against Australia on Saturday, in opposition to Stirling Mortlock and it’s confrontation he is eagerly anticipating.