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Nominees for RPI Awards 2026 Announced

Rugby Players Ireland has announced the nominees for the 2026 Rugby Players Ireland Awards, set to take place on Wednesday May 20th at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road in Dublin. Hosted once again by former Ireland internationals Barry Murphy and Andrew Trimble, the awards recognise excellence on and off the pitch across Irish rugby over the past twelve months.

Among the standout categories is the prestigious OCC Consulting Men’s XVs Players’ Player of the Year Award, with reigning winner Tadhg Beirne returning to the shortlist  having further enhanced his reputation during the British & Irish Lions’ victorious tour of Australia where he was named Player of the Series. He is joined by Stuart McCloskey who has enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career. 

Also among this year’s nominees are Ireland and Lions stars Jamison Gibson-Park and Dan Sheehan, both of whom featured in least year’s shortlist and continue to demonstrate remarkable consistency at the highest level.

The OCC Consulting Women’s XVs Players’ Player of the Year Award also reflects the continued progress of an Irish side that narrowly missed out on a Rugby World Cup semi-final.

One of the longest-serving Irish internationals currently involved in the game, Cliodhna Moloney- MacDonald is recognised for playing her part in what is a rapidly evolving squad. Brittany Hogan earns a deserved nomination after another hugely impactful season in green, while Eve Higgins caps a breakthrough year on multiple fronts with recognition from her peers.

This year’s awards ceremony comes at the conclusion of a memorable season for Irish rugby which saw 18 Irish players selected for the British & Irish Lions tour, another Triple Crown success for the men’s national side, and a record attendance for a women’s game in Ireland on the final Six Nations game of the season.

Among the other awards to be presented on the night are the Nevin Spence Men’s Young Player of the Year Award, the Energia Women’s XVs Young Player of the Year, the MSL Mercedes-Benz Ballsbridge Men’s XVs Try of the Year, the AIB Women’s XVs Try of the Year, the Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resoort Moment of the Year and the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society Award.

NOMINEE LIST

OCC Consulting Men’s XVs Players’ Player of the Year

Tadhg Beirne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Stuart McCloskey, Dan Sheehan

OCC Consulting Women’s XVs Players’ Player of the Year

Eve Higgin, Brittany Hogan, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald

TritonLake Women’s 7s Players’ Player of the Year

Megan Burns, Alanna McInerney, Robyn O’Connor 

Nevin Spence Men’s XVs Young Player of the Year

Billy Bohan, JJ Kenny, Bryn Ward

Energia Women’s XVs Young Player of the Year

Dannah O’Brien, Robyn O’Connor, Katie Whelan

MSL Mercedes Benz Ballsbridge Men’s XVs Try of the Year

Robert Baloucoune (v Italy), Dan Kelly v (Glasgow Warriors), Tommy O’Brien (v Scotland #1)

AIB Women’s XVs Try of the Year 

Eve Higgins (v Japan), Robyn O’Connor (v Italy), Beibhinn Parsons (v Italy #3)