Six Nations 2024: McCloskey & Others Nominated for Player of the Championship | News & Updates

The 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship has concluded, leaving a quartet of players standing out as contenders for the coveted Player of the Championship award. Among those nominated is Ireland’s Stuart McCloskey, recognized for a consistently impactful performance throughout the tournament. The other nominees are Louis Bielle-Biarrey of France, Kyle Steyn of Scotland, and Tommaso Menoncello of Italy.

McCloskey’s nomination is particularly noteworthy as he played every minute of Ireland’s campaign. His powerful displays in midfield provided both leadership and crucial impact at key moments, contributing significantly to Ireland’s achievement of the Triple Crown. While Ireland ultimately fell just short of claiming the overall championship title, McCloskey’s consistent excellence has been widely acknowledged.

The nominations reflect a thrilling and fiercely contested championship, with each player having played a pivotal role for their respective team. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, already the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Player of the Championship, is again in contention following another impressive campaign for France. His attacking prowess and finishing ability were instrumental in France securing back-to-back titles.

Kyle Steyn of Scotland too earned his place on the shortlist through consistently high-level performances. Tommaso Menoncello, representing Italy, was recognized for his contributions to a campaign that saw Italy achieve notable results, including two victories.

The selection process for the award considered performance statistics throughout the championship, as well as fan votes. All four nominees topped the performance charts and received the highest percentage of fan votes to earn their place in the Team of the Championship – a team identifying the top-performing player per position. This indicates a broad recognition of their individual contributions by both statistical analysis and the passionate fanbase.

Ireland’s success in the 2026 Six Nations is further highlighted by the fact that four Irish players – Stuart McCloskey, Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris, and Jack Conan – were named in the Men’s Six Nations Team of the Championship, as voted for by fans. What we have is a testament to the depth and quality within the Irish squad, and their consistent performance throughout the tournament.

France also secured four spots in the Team of the Championship, reflecting their championship-winning campaign. Antoine Dupont, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Thomas Ramos, and Mickael Guillard were all recognized for their contributions. Bielle-Biarrey’s record-breaking nine tries were a key factor in France’s success, while Ramos’s consistency and clutch kicking proved decisive in the final game.

Scotland and Italy each had three players selected for the Team of the Championship, with Kyle Steyn, Finn Russell, and Rory Darge representing Scotland, and Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari, and Tommaso Menoncello representing Italy. Wales secured one spot with Rhys Carre.

The absence of any England players in the Team of the Championship is a notable point, particularly given their dramatic defeat to France in Paris which ultimately decided the championship. The French victory, secured by Ramos’s late penalty, edged out Ireland to claim the tournament title.

McCloskey’s nomination comes as no surprise to those who followed Ireland’s campaign closely. He has reportedly been overwhelmed by the support he’s received, stating, My phone’s never buzzed so much, according to reports. His consistent presence in the Irish midfield and his ability to influence key moments have made him a standout performer.

The Guinness Men’s Player of the Championship award recognizes individual brilliance within a team sport. The competition between Bielle-Biarrey, McCloskey, Steyn, and Menoncello promises to be a close one, reflecting the high level of talent and competitiveness displayed throughout the 2026 Six Nations Championship. The award winner will be announced in the coming days, capping off a memorable tournament.

Ireland’s achievement of a fourth Triple Crown in five years underscores their continued dominance in the Six Nations. The inclusion of four Irish players in the Team of the Championship is a clear indication of the strength and depth of the Irish squad, and their ability to consistently compete at the highest level. While the championship title eluded them this year, Ireland remains a formidable force in international rugby.