'It hasn't sunk in yet' - Castleford Tigers hooker Paul McShane reacts to being named Man of Steel

The 31-year-old beat fellow contenders; Bevan French and Liam Farrell from Wigan Warriors, Huddersfield Giants captain Aidan Sezer and St Helens’ full-back Lachlan Coote, to the game’s most prestigious individual accolade.

Castleford endured a tough season following the competition’s resumption in August but McShane has been a consistent performer for his side at hooker and has even filled in at half-back on occasion to aid an injury-hit Tigers side.

The former Wakefield Trinity player was leading the Man of Steel leaderboard before the sport was suspended in March.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet and seems surreal, I am honoured that legends of our game think I’m worthy of this award,” said McShane.

“If it wasn’t for my teammates I wouldn’t have been near, at the end of the day I go out and play rugby for them, I want to do my best for them and for those guys wanting me to do well it means a lot.

“There have been some tough periods throughout the year with results not going our way, but the lads have been turning up and trying their hardest and they have helped me win this award.”

McShane is the fifth player from Castleford to claim the award - only St Helens have produced more Men of Steel - after Adrian Vowles (1999), Rangi Chase (2011), Daryl Clark (2014) and Luke Gale (2017) all won the award while playing for the Tigers.

McShane’s form in the first part of the campaign had earned him a call-up into Shaun Wane’s first England squad.

Castleford head coach Daryl Powell was one of the first people McShane called when he heard he was named the 2020 Man of Steel.

He added: “Daryl has played a massive part in where I’m at as a player, five years ago he got me back to enjoying my rugby again, so out of respect he deserved to be one of the first people I would let know about the news.

“From when I first joined, he gave me plenty of confidence in my ability, told me he sees things in me, and said I’ve always got more room to develop and become a better player.

“Even after my best seasons he still said to me that he sees 10 or 20 per cent more improvement and he’s always pushed me to strive for international honours. He’s just been an honest coach and friend.”

A number of changes had to be made to the Man of Steel judging process over the course of the season, given the disruption to the 2020 campaign caused by Covid-19.

There were advantages and disadvantages to selecting the winner based on either points accumulated, or on a points-per-game average, as was introduced in October.

Given the pros and cons to each scenario, the Man of Steel contenders, who were the same five players on the leaderboard in total points and points-per-game, went to a final review by Man of Steel panel chairman Ellery Hanley.

McShane also earned a spot in the 2020 Dream Team and Tigers coach Powell hailed him as one of the best number nines in the sport.

He added: “Paul has had an incredible season and has been fantastic for us for a number of years, so this is a massive pat on the back for how he has grown as a player since joining Castleford. It’s the ultimate accolade so this is fantastic for him.

“One thing we said as a group was that we wanted to support Macca in winning this, I think it is a collective effort as well as it being an amazing achievement for him as an individual player.

“He has matured off the field since he’s been at the club and his leadership continues to grow all the time.

“As a player, he is one of the best nines in the game bar none and his all-round game is fantastic. He’s a champion player and we’re glad to have him.”