Bundee Aki and Nichola Fryday were the big winners at tonight’s Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland awards in Dublin.
Aki capped an outstanding season for him personally by being named Men’s Player of the Year, while former Ireland captain Nichola Fryday picked up the Women’s accolade.
Connacht centre Aki was a key figure in Ireland’s first Grand Slam win on home soil before he carried that form into the World Cup, where a string of strong performances saw him nominated for World Player of the Year.
“It is an honour to have been voted the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Men’s Player of the Year for last season,” Aki (33) said.
“All of my teammates at Connacht and Ireland are deserving of recognition for their commitment and contribution to the game and I would not be picking up this award without their support. The journey of Irish Rugby is an exciting one and I look forward to the season ahead.”
Although she retired from international rugby last July, Fryday is still playing club rugby in England with Exeter, while the Offaly native represented her country well during what was a difficult Six Nations campaign.
Pictured is Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, alongside players James Ryan and Cian Healy, presented by Rory Sheridan and Ruaidhri O’Connor, who today were awarded the Dave Guiney Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Team of the Year award.
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
“It is a huge privilege to be named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s Player of the Year,” the lock (28) said.
“It has been a bitter-sweet season but a journey I am grateful to have been part of for the last seven years.
“I fe
…. to be continued
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