The 2023 Rugby Players Ireland Awards took place in Dublin on Wednesday night where Neve Jones was awarded the Bank of Ireland’s Women’s XVs Players’ Player of the Year 2023.
Ireland hooker Jones topped the vote by members of the Ireland squad, who accepted the trophy on her behalf at Dublin’s Clayton Burlington hotel. Jones edged out fellow forwards Deirbhile Nic a Bháird and Ireland captain Nichola Fryday as RPI members acknowledged her defensive contributions and work rate during TikTok Women’s Six Nations for Ireland.
🎉 @bankofireland Women’s XVs Players’ Player of the Year 🎉@Nevejones19 stood up to the challenge this year and continues to develop as a leader of this new generation ☘️#RugbyAwards23 #MoreThanAPlayer pic.twitter.com/oW2zDVpxBP
— RugbyPlayersIreland (@RugbyPlayersIRE) May 17, 2023
“This has been a tough year for the team, but we have shown some great examples of our character and resilience,” Jones said. “We are an extremely close team and are proud to back each other on the good and bad days. This award could go to anyone in the green jersey this season, so it really is an honour to be recognised and to be able to represent a fantastic group of players.”
Fryday was also awarded the AIB Corporate Banking Women’s XVs Try of the Year for her score against Scotland in last month’s Six Nations while their backline team-mate Aoife Dalton was voted iZest Marketing Women’s XVs Young Player of The Year. Ireland 7s captain Lucy Mulhall also won the TritonLake Women’s 7s Player of the Year.
RPI chairperson Peter O’Mahony said: “It is an honour to be here this evening and to celebrate the achievements of so many of our players who have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication on and off the field. It is important we recognise the significant contribution of these players as we seek collectively to grow and reach new heights in Irish rugby.”
Rugby Players Ireland Awards 2023
BANK OF IRELAND’S MEN’S XVs PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Caelan Doris (Leinster)
BANK OF IRELAND’S WOMEN’S XVs PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
NEVIN SPENCE MEN’S XVs YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jack Crowley (Munster)
IZEST MARKETING WOMEN’s XVs YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC)
MSL MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIPS‘ MEN’S XVs TRY OF THE YEAR
Mack Hansen - Ireland v South Africa, Autumn Nations Cup
AIB CORPORATE BANKING WOMEN’S XVs TRY OF THE YEAR
Nichola Fryday - Ireland v Scotland, TikTok Six Nations
TRITON LAKE MEN’S 7s PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Andrew Smith
TRITON LAKE WOMEN’S 7s PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lucy Mulhall
