On Wednesday night, Keith Earls was crowned the Zurich Players’ Player Of The Year 2018 after a stellar season which has seen the 30-year-old produce some of the best form of his career. 

The accolade will be a special one for Earls considering it is decided upon by his fellow Irish players. Earls beat off stiff competition from Conor Murray, Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong to be crowned this season’s PPOTY at a ceremony in Dublin on Wednesday night.

On receiving his award Earls commented: “It has been a great season with many special memories for me. For all the successes, there were some challenges along the way too and so it means a lot to get the recognition of my fellow players across the country. I’ve given it my all, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my teammates, friends and of course my family.”

Meanwhile, Jacob Stockdale has won the Nevin Spence Young Player Of The Year 2018 after capping off a remarkable season which has seen him voted best player of the Six Nations in addition to breaking the try-scoring record in the same competition.

Below are the winners and nominees for the other categories.

ZURICH IRISH RUGBY PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2018

Winner:                                       Keith Earls                        

Nominees:

Keith Earls

Tadhg Furlong

Conor Murray

Johnny Sexton

NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2018

Winner:                                              Jacob Stockdale                               

Nominees:      

Jordan Larmour

James Ryan

Jacob Stockdale

BNY MELLON WOMEN’S XVS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2018

Winner:                                               Claire Molloy

 WOMEN’S 7S PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2018

Winner:                                               Lucy Mulhall

 VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR 2018

Winner:                                           CJ Stander                                       England v Ireland

Nominees:

Andrew Conway                               Munster v Toulon

CJ Stander                                          England v Ireland

Jacob Stockdale                                Ireland v Wales

VODAFONE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE 2018

Winner:                                               Duncan Casey

Nominees:                                        

Duncan Casey

Jake Heenan

Rhys Ruddock

BNY MELLON RUGBY PLAYERS IRELAND HALL OF FAME 2018

Inducted:                                             Brian O’Driscoll

 The MASON ALEXANDER SUPPORTERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2018

Winner:                                               Bundee Aki

DRUIDS GLEN HOTEL & GOLF RESORT MOMENT OF THE YEAR 2018

Winner: ‘The Grand Slam’ as voted by the public on Twitter @druidsglen #DruidsMoment18

ZURICH CONTRIBUTION TO IRISH SOCIETY 2018

Jack McGrath

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