JOE Men of the Year Awards 2015: Rugby Player of the Year sponsored by Sony Xperia™

No World Cup, but not a bad year besides.

2015 will ultimately be remembered for the Irish rugby team’s exit at the quarter-finals stages of the Rugby World Cup, but it is a testament to the levels reached by the current squad that a year in which we claimed back to back Six Nations titles is regarded by many as a disappointment. Domestically, it was a so-so season, with Leinster reaching the Champions Cup semi-finals and Munster tasting defeat to Glasgow Warriors in the final of the PRO 12. At club and international level, there were lots of individual highlights, many of which featured our nominees for JOE Rugby Player of the Year sponsored by Sony Xperia™; cast your vote at the bottom of the page. Vote on all JOE Men of the Year categories here. 

Paul O’Connell

Hard to believe we’ll never see him in a green jersey again, O’Connell’s international career ended on a heartbreaking note, but up until his horrible injury against France, he had been immense. O’Connell was playing as well at 35 (he’s just turned 36) as at any stage in his career and though we won’t see him in action for a long time, expect him to make a massive impact at Toulon when he does return.

Robbie Henshaw

Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy left some huge boots to fill in the Irish midfield, but Henshaw and Jared Payne did a more than adequate job in a new-look centre partnership in 2015. A star in the making for some time, the Connacht man lived up to and exceeded expectations this year, scoring a memorable try against England at the Aviva and earning a place on the Guinness Pro 12 Team of the Season for good measure.

Iain Henderson

Ronan O’Gara thought that Henderson should be in the running for Player of the Tournament at the World Cup before the Argentina game, a huge endorsement of his displays considering that he didn’t start every game. Henderson has developed into a ball-carrying powerhouse for both Ulster and Ireland, equally adept in the second-row or the back-row for province and country. Already being mentioned as a Lions starter in 2017 and though it’s early days, it wouldn’t be a massive shock.

Rob Kearney

One of the most consistent performers for both Leinster and Ireland for the best part of the last decade, Kearney didn’t let his level slip in 2015. The full-back now stands out as one of the main leaders on the Irish team and his try against France epitomised his ability to step up to the plate when most required.

Sean O’Brien

The saga over his suspension after the France game commanded the attention of the Irish sporting public at a level not seen since Roy and Mick in Saipan. He had to sit out the Argentina game and his presence was hugely missed; despite injury struggles throughout the year, he managed to make a typically massive impact for club and country. Sponsored by Sony Xperia™. With its best in class camera, revolutionary 4K video and innovative durable design, the Sony Xperia™ Z5  is the perfect phone for rugby fans. For more information click here.