Leinster backs James Lowe and Garry Ringrose are amongst the nominees for the Zurich Players' Player of the Year award alongside Munster winger Andrew Conway and Ulster scrum-half John Cooney.
Conway enjoyed one of his best campaigns for both club and country, becoming established as a frontline player for Ireland following the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Cooney failed to make that trip to the Far East but responded to the disappointment in resilient fashion by making some vital contributions for Ulster Rugby as they made their way to the latter stages of the PRO14 and Heineken Champions Cup.
Captain for the day as Leinster Rugby claimed a third successive PRO14 title, Garry Ringrose’s remarkable consistency across the season has been acknowledged by his peers, while James Lowe completes the nominees with his prolific and energetic performances on the Leinster Rugby wing.
Player of the Year nominees Conway and Cooney will also contest the Try of the Year award. Conway's pace at the Ospreys in the Champions Cup and Cooney’s individual brilliance at home to Clermont in the same competition are joined by Robin Copeland’s last-ditch effort against Gloucester.
Before the rugby season stalled, the Irish Women's XV enjoyed some success in the Six Nations with victories over Scotland and Wales.
While the group will finish out the campaign in the coming weeks, the players have nominated Cliodhna Moloney and Linda Djougang for the Women’s XV Player of the Year 2020, while Edel McMahon, who will miss the remainder of the campaign through injury, is also shortlisted.
Caelan Doris is nominated for the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year Award, cementing his burgeoning reputation with influential performances for both club and country.
Following an outstanding breakthrough campaign, Ryan Baird's emergence is also recognised while former Ireland 7s player Shane Daly has impressed in the Munster Rugby backfield.
Men's 7s Player of the Year nominees
Jordan Conroy
Terry Kennedy
Harry McNulty
Women's 7s Player of the Year nominees
Kathy Baker
Louise Galvin
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe
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