Briggs Nominated IRB Women’s Player Of The Year

As the Ireland Women’s squad count down the hours to their first World Cup semi final, the IRB today announced its Women’s Player of the Year shortlist which includes Munster full-back Niamh Briggs.

Niamh is one of four players named to receive the award joining France number 8 Safi N’Diaye and Canadian duo, captain Kelly Russell and winger Magali Harvey.

All four women will be in action today as Ireland take on England (kick-off 5pm) and hosts France take on Canada (kick-off 7.45pm ) in the World Cup semi finals.

The Limerick based Garda is Ireland’s top World Cup 2014 scorer to date with 25 points and, should she receive the accolade, would be the first Irish women ever to have received this prestigious award.

Niamh plays her club rugby with UL Bohemian and debuted for Munster in 2006. A Waterford native, Niamh has claimed a total of six interprovincial titles and has been capped for her country on 43 occasions.

Competing in her second World Cup, the experienced full-back was awarded the Munster, Ireland and World Player of the Year titles in 2013. Niamh was the leading points scorer in Ireland's Six Nations Grand Slam success, scoring 3 tries and kicking 28 points as she helped her side to an historic victory.

Commenting on Briggs’ nomination the IRB stated” Niamh Briggs has been at the heart of everything as Ireland stunned New Zealand en route to reaching the semi-finals for the first time in WRWC history. One of the best attacking full backs in the women’s game, she has great tactical awareness and is a reliable kicker, both out of hand and from the tee.”

The management of the 12 teams at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 and commentators have voted for their top three players after each round with votes tallied to provide the shortlist of nominees.

The winner will be announced on Sunday at the conclusion of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “I would like to congratulate all four of these players who have made the shortlist. By making this exclusive list, they have already achieved something special regardless of who eventually wins the award.”

“One of the features of a record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 has been the noticeable step forward in terms of quality. The level of skill, athleticism, pace and power has never been so high in the women’s game as it is right now and there have never before been so many competitive teams. It really is impossible to predict with any degree of certainty who will be lifting the trophy on Sunday and all this bodes well for the future of rugby.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teams for making this tournament such a spectacle and for putting in such hard work to ensure such a high standard of play.”