RUGBY SHORTS

LEINSTER yesterday announced new contracts for 19 players ahead of next season, with Jordan Larmour being rewarded for his brilliant season with a first senior contract. Three other players were also promoted from academy deals — Vakh Abdaladze, Josh Murphy and Caelan Doris. There was no mention of either Joey Carbery or Ross Byrne, so it remains to be seen whether either will be moving to Ulster, as has been speculated. Central IRFU contracts had already been announced for Tadhg Furlong and Rob Kearney. Leinster senior contracts: Vakh Abdaladze, Michael Bent, Ed Byrne, Seán Cronin, Barry Daly, Tom Daly, Peter Dooley, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Dave Kearney, Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Nick McCarthy, Fergus McFadden, Ross Molony, Josh Murphy, Andrew Porter, Garry Ringrose, Rhys Ruddock, James Tracy, Josh van der Flier. ÷KEITH EARLS was last night named Zurich Players’ Player of the Year at the Zurich Irish Rugby Awards ceremony. The Munster winger, 30, won the award ahead of last year’s winner Conor Murray, and Leinster pair Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong. Jacob Stockdale was named as the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year 2018, after his record-breaking Six Nations campaign, ahead of Leinster duo James Ryan and Jordan Larmour. The Women’s XVs Player of the Year was Claire Molloy, while Irish captain Lucy Mulhall claimed the award for 7s Player of the Year. Brian O’Driscoll was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.