2009 IRB Player of the Year

(17 Nov 2009)

 

Ireland, Leinster and British & Irish Lions star Jamie Heaslip has been nominated for the 2009 IRB Player of the Year award. The 25 year old number 8 is one of seven players shortlisted by the International Rugby Board for the most prestigious individual honour in the world game. The announcement caps off an outstanding season for the Naas man in which he has won a Heineken Cup (with Leinster) a Grand Slam (with Ireland) and played in all three Test matches for the Lions on the South African tour in June and July. 

It is the second time that Heaslip has been acknowledged by the IRB awards panel. He was one of three players nominated for the IRB U21 Player of the Year back in 2004.

The six other players that complete the nominations list include Heaslip’s Irish team captain Brian O’Driscoll as well as New Zealand captain Richie McCaw (a winner in 2006), South African duo Fourie du Preez and Francois Steyn, Australia’s fly-half Matt Giteau and England’s Tom Croft.