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Doris named Irish Players’ Player of the Year

CaelanDorisAwardwinner18052023
Caelan Doris has been named the Irish Players’ Player of the Year after a sensational season for both club and country.

Caelan Doris has been named the Irish Players’ Player of the Year after a sensational season for both club and country.

The back row, who was nominated for Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship, has yet to taste defeat this season, winning all 20 of the matches he has been involved in.

That run includes Ireland’s five Guinness Six Nations wins on their way to an historic Grand Slam, the first win on home soil since 1948 and the first ever in Dublin.

Doris was named Player of the Match in the crucial victory against France in Round 2 of the Championship, while he also earned that gong against Australia in the Autumn Nations Series Win, as Andy Farrell’s side went three wins from three against their southern hemisphere opposition.

He has also been a crucial member of the Leinster side looking to win their fifth Heineken Champions Cup this weekend in a repeat of last year’s final against La Rochelle in Dublin.

The 25-year-old came out on top of a shortlist containing fellow Grand Slam winners Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan and Dan Sheehan at the 20th rendition of the awards in Dublin.

He said: “I am honoured to receive this recognition from my fellow players.

“Across the season, we rely on each other as team-mates to be a strong support for one another, both on and off the field.

“To be acknowledged by them for any contribution I have made to their season is very special.

“It is fantastic to receive this award, but I want to acknowledge my team-mates and fellow nominees – what a phenomenal season it has been for Irish rugby and Leinster rugby and I’m excited to see what we are capable of achieving together in the coming days and months.”

Hansen was awarded the men’s XVs Try of the Year for his score against South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series, while Johnny Sexton picked up the Moment of the Year award on behalf of the Ireland team for their Grand Slam triumph.

Also picking up awards were Jack Crowley, who was named as the Nevin Spence’s men’s Young Player of the Year award and Neve Jones, who was named the Women’s Players’ Player of the Year.