Briggs Shortlisted For Women’s Player Of The Year

Ireland full-back Niamh Briggs has been shortlisted for the IRB Women’s Player of the Year award, ahead of this evening’s Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against England in Paris.

Niamh Briggs is one of four players shortlisted for the award along with France number 8 Safi N’Diaye and Canadian duo, captain Kelly Russell and winger Magali Harvey.

Briggs (pictured below practising at Stade Jean Bouin) 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, the Waterford star has great tactical awareness and is a reliable kicker, both out of hand and from the tee.

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

The award winner will be announced on Sunday at the conclusion of the tournament in Paris.

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 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup  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.”

You can watch a video of the four IRB Women’s Player of the Year nominees in action here:

Previous Winners –

2012 – Michaela Staniford (England) 
2011 – IRB Women’s Personality of the Year: Ruth Mitchell
2010 – IRB Women’s Personality of the Year: Carla Hohepa (New Zealand) 
2009 – IRB International Women’s Personality of the Year: Debby Hodgkinson (Australia)
2008 – IRB International Women’s Personality of the Year: Carol Isherwood (England)
2007 – IRB International Women’s Personality of the Year: Sarah Corrigan (Australia)
2006 – IRB International Women’s Personality of the Year: Maggie Alphonsi (England)
2005 – IRB International Women’s Personality of the Year: Farah Palmer (New Zealand)
2004 – IRB International Women’s Personality of the Year: Donna Kennedy (Scotland)
2003 – IRB Women’s Personality of the Year: Kathy Flores (USA)
2002 – IRB Women’s Player of the Year: Monique Hirovanaa (New Zealand) 
2001 – IRB Women’s Player of the Year: Shelley Rae (England)