It’s been a pretty fantastic November for Jamie Heaslip.
On Saturday he was part of the first Irish team to beat the All-Blacks and on Monday afternoon it was announced that he made six-man shortlist for the World Rugby Player of the Year.
The Irish vice-captain will go up against All Blacks duo Dan Coles and Beauden Barrett and a trio of English players in Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola and Maro Itoje.
Congratulations to @IrishRugby No.8 @jamieheaslip on your nomination for World Rugby Men's Player of the Year 2016 #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/qyTHCg05DL
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 7, 2016
Heaslip has been nominated for the coveted accolade once before. He made the shortlist alongside compatriot Brian O’Driscoll in 2009 following Ireland’s historic Grand Slam in the Six Nations. However, that year the award was given to New Zealand’s Richie McCaw.
Keith Wood is the only Irishman to ever win the award. The legendary Munster hooker picked up the prize in 2001, beating off the likes of O’Driscoll, Jonny Wilkinson and Australia’s George Smith and George Gregan.
Dan Carter won it last year after guiding the All Blacks to the Rugby World Cup before hanging up his boots for good.
Who are the winners of the much-coveted 2016 Wooly Awards? Find out in our GAA Hour Special
