The list of candidates is outstanding.
With two weekends of the 2017/18 regular season to go [we still have Australia to look forward to], Irish rugby is in great shape.
Joe Schmidt’s men are the Grand Slam champions, Leinster claimed the Champions Cup and both they and Munster are in the Guinness PRO14 semi-final. As they are paired together, the final at Lansdowne Road is guaranteed an Irish finalist on Saturday, May 26. Even Ulster have a chance to end a tumultuous season by securing Champions Cup rugby for next season.
Heading towards that summer tour Down Under, and looking back on all the action since Ireland embarked on their Six Nations title quest, we felt it was a good time to look at the country’s most in form players.
As always, this one could spark a debate but we think you’ll agree that these 10 men are all having fine seasons for province and country.
10. Garry Ringrose
Arrived back from an ankle injury to help Ireland to Grand Slam-securing victories over Scotland then England. Resumed his burgeoning midfield partnership with Robbie Henshaw for the Champions Cup knock-out stages. Scored an excellent try against Saracens and his skip pass against Scarlets put them under severe pressure, with James Ryan scoring moments later. Came to life in the closing stages of the Champions Cup final.
9. Rob Kearney
Missed a couple of months earlier on in the season but returned to prove he is the country’s best fullback. Had a great Six Nations and carried that form into the Champions Cup, even if try-scoring with any sort of regularity has eluded him. Brilliant in the Scarlets semi-final win.
8. Cian Healy
Toured with Ireland last summer as Jack McGrath was off on Lions duty. Came back lean and fit for pre-season, started well and has been first choice loosehead ever since. His scrummaging has been on-point and he provides a serious ball-carrying option will working hard off the ball. Has come to a nice 50/30 minute split with McGrath.
7. Keith Earls
Credit: ITVHas missed a couple of tracts of matches due to injuries but has sparkled in between. Followed up his brilliant form of 2017/18 and Ireland’s end-of-season tours to America and Japan to look better than ever. Seems to have got his pace, step and attacking spark back. Two amazing try-saving tackles in the Six Nations. Was pivotal in Ireland’s Grand Slam win and was voted Players’ Player of the Year.
6. Jacob Stockdale
One hell of a season and that’s coming after a great breakthrough year in 2016/17 and a very good summer tour (his first) with Ireland. Has scored 19 tries and chipped in with three assists for Ulster and Ireland and is one short of the all-time pro record set by Tommy Bowe with some games to go. Seven tries in five games during the Six Nations and a couple of them (Wales and England) were absolutely vital.
5. Tadhg Furlong
The best in the world in his position and that has been the case for the past 18 months. Solid tighthead with superb handling and who gets through a mountain of work in the loose. Often features in attacking set-plays due to his slick passing and awareness. One of the first names on the team-sheet for Leinster, Ireland and, last summer, the Lions.
4. Johnny Sexton
Getting better with age. Makes such a difference to teams when he starts, in terms of mind-set, attacking capabilities, ability to calls big plays on the hoof, adaptability and defence. What makes him so great is the level of consistency he brings to the table. Scared us with some goal-kicking yips against Wales but recovered against Scotland and England, and for Leinster in the Champions Cup.
3. Conor Murray
Another player who can justifiably claim to be the best in the world in his position. Proved so consistently good and able to carry out the Irish game-plan under heavy pressure during the Six Nations. Munster would not have reached the Champions Cup semis without him and he has been their stand-out performer all season.
2. Dan Leavy
Finishing the season like a bullet train. Was doing well enough for Leinster but his season all changed when Josh van der Flier was injured against France and he stepped in at openside. Imperious in the wins over Wales, Scotland and England. Carried on that form in the Champions Cup knock-out stages and logged 20 tackles and 17 carries in the final win over Racing. As Stephen Ferris remarks, he’s either man of the match or close to it in every match he plays.
1. James Ryan
You can’t really argue with a season return of 19-0 and a professional rugby return of 21-0. Was earmarked for great deeds at a young age and overcame a bad injury last season to become a totemic figure in the second row for Leinster and Ireland. Very impressive in the Six Nations and was immense in Leinster’s Champions Cup quarter, semi and final wins. Should have been in the running for EPCR Player of the Year but he’ll settle for the cup winners’ medal to go with his Grand Slam.
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