IRUPA, THE IRISH Rugby Union Players Association, have today unveiled its shortlist for the players’ player of the year award.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Unsurprisingly, all four nominees played a central role in Ireland’s successful Six Nations campaign.

Half-backs Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray are nominated along with captain Paul O’Connell and 21-year-old Robbie Henshaw.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

The Connacht centre formed an important part of Ireland’s Championship defence and seems a shoe-in to claim the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year award for the third time running. Though there will be competition from Leinster’s Jack Conan and Jack McGrath.

Leinster’s other individual nominee comes in the IRUPA Unsung hero award, with winger Darragh Fanning alongside Munster’s Denis Hurley and Ulster prop Callum Black. The public are encouraged to vote for the unsung hero using #3UnsungHero on Twitter.

Supporters can also vote for their moment of the year with #PHMoment15 and their own Player of the Year in a vote which opens to the public from 4 May with details to be broadcast on Newstalk.

From 2013: Jones, Henry and Simon Zebo cool off on the tour to North America.

Among the other gongs to be handed out at the 13 May ceremony will be Try of the Year (see them here) and a Hibernia College medal for excellence to be awarded to either Chris Henry, Felix Jones and Michael Swift nominated.

Who would you name Irish Player of the Year?