Former Wales and British Lions flanker Martyn Williams has called on the RBS 6 Nations organisers to change the way they draw up the Player of the Championship shortlist after Sam Warburton was left out of 12-man nominations . Warburton , 26 , was one of his country 's best players throughout the competition but the Wales skipper is not up for the top gong , which is based upon performance statistics rather than balanced expert opinions . Dan Biggar and Alun-Wyn Jones are the only Welsh nominations while Scotland , who lost every game , also have two players in the running in Jonny Gray and Stuart Hogg . Wales skipper Sam Warburton races away for a try during his side 's 60-21 trouncing of Italy in Rome . 'Sam is the standout name not on that list , ' Williams told Sportsmail . 'It was a big surprise . It 's always very contentious , but it 's picked using statistics and I do n't think that 's the way to do it . I prefer the way they do it for World Player of the Year where they use a panel of experts to get a general consensus . Sam can feel very hard done by for not making it . You could make a case for Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams as well . 'Sam 's stats are always very high but penalties can count against you if you play on the edge . His influence on the team ca n't be measured through stats because they do n't capture those big moments in a game where the big players stand up . 'Sam will be the player to win a big turnover to win a big game ; but that just counts as one turnover on a stat sheet . He 's a fantastic role model and a leader by actions . ' Wales fly half Dan Biggar has made the Six Nations shortlist for Player of the Championship . Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones is the only other Welsh player to make the 12-man shortlist . After losing their opening Test against England , Wales went on to win all of their remaining fixtures and eventually finished third on points difference . Warren Gatland expects his side to be serious challengers at the World Cup and , if they can continue to build on their momentum , Williams believes they have the talent to make the final at Twickenham . 'This squad has more or less been together for four years , so they 're in a really good place , ' said Williams . 'They will obviously be disappointed not to win the tournament but , in terms of the bigger picture , they 're looking good for the World Cup . Can they be challengers ? Yes , why not ? The group stages are just as difficult as the quarter and semi finals . That 's how finely balanced it is . If they win the group , then they could go all the way . Then again , they might not get out of their group at all . ' Former Wales flanker Martin Williams has called for changes to be made to the nominations procedure .
Wales captain Dan Biggar was left out of the 12-man shortlist . Former Wales flanker Martyn Williams has called for a change to the way the Six Nations organisers draw up the nominations . The current system is based upon performance statistics rather than balanced expert opinions . Warburton was one of the standout performers in the championship . Sam Warburton and Alun-Wyn Jones are the only Welsh nominations .