Ireland and Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw has been voted the Zurich Men's Players' Player of the Year by his fellow professionals at Friday's Irish Rugby Players Awards ceremony hosted by 2014 winner Andrew Trimble and Barry Murphy.
Henshaw, who can play both inside and outside centre and fullback, has won the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year on three occasions but it is the first time he has won in the senior category. He follows from Garry Ringrose, who won the award last time out.
Henshaw came out ahead of three other nominees Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Tom Daly (Connacht) and Ulster lock Iain Henderson.
The form of the 28-year-old from Athlone last season saw him nominated for the Six Nations Player of the Tournament, while he was also a central feature of the Lions tour to South Africa during the summer.
“The 2020/21 campaign will always stand out in my mind because the circumstances under which we played were so unique,” said Henshaw accepting the award.
“I’m hugely honoured to win this award but I think the wider rugby community also deserve great credit for how they kept the show on the road to give players like Tadhg, Tom, Iain and myself to go out and play for club and country.”
Dorothy Wall took home the Zurich Women's Players Player of the Year award and was also named the Whoop Women's Young Players' Player of the Year, which was being held for the first time.
Wall wins both awards ahead of her international colleague Beibhinn Parsons. The flier won the MLS Motor Group Women’s Try of the Year for her effort against Wales.
In other awards Munster backrow Gavin Coombes rounded off an impressive season with his province by being capped by Andy Farrell in the summer, which was enough to earn him the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year.
The 23-year-old beat a number of outstanding performers to the trophy including scrumhalf Craig Casey, fullback Hugo Keenan and Leinster flanker Scott Penny.
Munster teammate CJ Stander accepted the Druids Glen Moment of the Year award on behalf of his former Irish teammates for their victory over England in the final round of the Six Nations. The match also marked the last Irish outing for Stander, who had returned to live in South Africa.
Zurich Irish Men’s Players Player of the Year
Winner: Robbie Henshaw, Leinster
Nominees:
Tadhg Beirne, Munster
Tom Daly, Connacht
Iain Henderson, Ulster
Zurich Irish Women’s Players’ Player of the Year
Winner: Dorothy Wall, Munster
Nominees:
Eimear Considine, Munster
Stacey Flood, Leinster
Beibhinn Parsons, Connacht
Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year
Winner: Gavin Coombes, Munster
Nominees:
Craig Casey, Munster
Hugo Keenan, Leinster
Scott Penny, Leinster
Whoop Women’s Young Player of the Year
Winner: Dorothy Wall, Munster
Nominees:
Stacey Flood, Leinster
Brittany Hogan, Ulster
Beibhinn Parsons, Connacht
Zurich Contribution to Irish Society
Tommy Bowe
Izest Marketing Irish Women’s 7s Player of the Year
Winner: Lucy Mulhall
AIB Corporate Banking Irish Men’s 7s Player of the Year
Winner: Terry Kennedy
Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Moment of the Year
Winner: Ireland Men v England, Six Nations
Nominees:
Ireland Sevens Olympic Qualification
Ireland Women v Wales, Six Nations
MSL Motor Group Men’s Try of the Year
Winner: JJ Hanrahan, Munster v Cardiff Blues
Nominees:
Robert Baloucoune, Ulster v Leinster PRO14
Keith Earls, Ireland v England Six Nations
Sean O’Brien, Scarlets v Connacht PRO14
MSL Motor Group Women’s Try of the Year
Winner: Beibhinn Parsons Wales v Ireland
Nominees:
Eimear Considine Wales v Ireland
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe Ireland v Italy
Sene Naoupu Wales v Ireland
