THREE IRISH PLAYERS have been recognised for their brilliant performances in this year’s 6 Nations tournament.

Robbie Henshaw, Conor Murray and Paul O’Connell were all central to Ireland’s triumph and make the cut on the 12-man shortlist on the official Six Nations website.

But it is runners-up England who have the most representatives on the 12-man shortlist in George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Billy Vunipola and Ben Youngs.

Wales have two nominees in Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn-Jones while Scotland have Jonny Gray and Stuart Hogg.

Captain Sergio Parisse is the solitary Italian player included while no French players have made the cut.

Voting is now open on the website and closes at midnight on Wednesday.

The shortlist in full is:

1. Biggar, Dan (WAL)
2. Ford, George (ENG)
3. Gray, Jonny (SCO)
4. Henshaw, Robbie (IRE)
5. Hogg, Stuart (SCO)
6. Jones, Alun Wyn (WAL)
7. Joseph, Jonathan (ENG)
8. Murray, Conor (IRE)
9. O’Connell, Paul (IRE)
10. Parisse, Sergio (ITA)
11. Vunipola, Billy (ENG)
12. Youngs, Ben (ENG)

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