THE LEINSTER DUO of Jack McGrath and Jordi Murphy have been nominated for the IRUPA Young Player of the Year award, along with last season’s winner Robbie Henshaw.
McGrath and Murphy have been nominated for the award, which is voted for by professional players with the four Irish provinces, for the first time. Henshaw was the runaway winner of the 2013 accolade after breaking into the Connacht team, in September 2012, as a 19-year-old.
All three players made their Test debuts with Ireland in the past year. Henshaw toured with the senior squad to North America and featured against Australia last November. Murphy made his Ireland debut in a Six Nations defeat to England and appeared in the home win over Italy.
McGrath was named man-of-the-match after his debut performance against Samoa. He featured off the bench in the two remaining November internationals and all of the Six Nations games. He replaced Cian Healy in the home win over Italy and scored his first senior international try.
IRUPA chairman, Rob Kearney commented, “All awards presented on the night are hugely significant, as there is no higher accolade than being recognized by your peers who you go into battle with each week.”
Who do you think deserves the award?
