A trio of Ireland’s Women’s Six Nations stars have been nominated for the Women’s XVs Player of the Year award.
Anna Caplice, Eimear Considine and skipper Ciara Griffin are the three players who will battle it out for the gong, which will be presented at the Irish Rugby Players Awards on May 15.
The nominees are chosen by their fellow players and all had a key role to play during the 2019 Women’s Six Nations – where Ireland ultimately finished fifth with one win from five games.
That victory came away to Scotland in Round 2 as they secured a 22-5 triumph, before earning two bonus points in defeat to Italy next time out.
Talented back-rower Caplice crossed for tries in both those games, picking from the back of a ruck and forcing her way over against Scotland and bundling over from close-range against the Azzurre.
Winger Considine also scored two tries in the Championship – both in the opening 18 minutes against Italy – while Caplice’s back-row teammate Griffin went over for a ninth-minute try in the 47-17 defeat to France.
Caplice was a ball-carrying fiend during the Women’s Six Nations – her 67 carries the third most of any player, while her 98.1% successful tackle percentage was the best of any Irish player.
Considine demonstrated her game-breaking prowess with five tackle breaks during the Championship, putting her in the top ten overall, while she was one of just eight women who played every minute of her side’s games.
Meanwhile, captain Griffin was a juggernaut at the breakdown for Ireland – having the most attacking breakdown arrivals (183), the most defensive breakdown arrivals (59), the most breakdown steals (5) and the fifth most cleanouts (51) in the Championship.
