Aki and Fryday take Rugby Writers awards

Bundee Aki and Nichola Fryday have been named as the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland players of the year.

Connacht centre Aki, who was a World Rugby player of the year nominee, saw off competition from Ireland team-mates Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan, Johnny Sexton and Andrew Porter for the men's award.

Former Ireland captain Fryday, who stepped away from international rugby after last year’s Six Nations, was named women’s player of the year. She was nominated alongside Sam Monaghan, Neve Jones, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird and Aoife Dalton.

Connacht’s Aki [below] helped Ireland to a Grand Slam last spring and was the team's standout player at the World Cup, playing every minute of the campaign and scoring five tries.

The 33-year-old said: "It is an honour to have been voted the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Men’s Player of the Year for last season.

"All of my team-mates 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."

Fryday [below], meanwhile featured as a strong leader throughout a challenging final season for the Ireland women’s team. Stepping away from international level last July, the 28-year-old enjoyed the highs and lows of the game throughout 34 appearances in green.

Named International captain in 2022, the Tullamore native has enjoyed success through her club career with Exeter Chiefs with whom she reached the Premier XVs final last season.

The Offaly woman said: "It is a huge privilege to be named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s Player of the Year. It has been a bittersweet season but a journey I am