Munster pair Paul O'Connell and Denis Leamy join Leinster's Felipe Contepomi on a three-man shortlist for the Irish Rugby Union Players Association's (IRUPA) Players' Player-of-the-Year award.
The awards cover the 2005/2006 season and are the only honours voted for by the players themselves.
Ulster's Andrew Trimble is favourite to win the 'newcomer' award but faces stiff competition from Munster's Barry Murphy and Rob Kearney of Leinster.
IRUPA chairman Mark McHugh said: "Winning an award voted for by those who you play and compete against is the best tribute for any rugby player.
"This awards ceremony will celebrate those players who dominated the season but will also raise much needed funds for the IRUPA Injured Players Fund."
A total of five awards will be presented at a ceremony in Dublin on Wednesday, May 3rd.
Nominations
BT IRUPA PLAYERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2006
Felipe Contepomi (Leinster)
Denis Leamy (Munster)
Paul O'Connell (Munster)
IRUPA CLUB ENERGISE SPORT UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR 2006
Neil Best (Ulster)
Mick O'Driscoll (Munster)
David Wallace (Munster)
IRUPA TYRONE CRYSTAL TRY OF YEAR 2006
Denis Hickie (Toulouse v Leinster)
Shane Horgan (England v Ireland)
Barry Murphy (Munster v Sale)
IRUPA GREEN GIANT NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2006
Rob Kearney (Leinster)
Barry Murphy (Munster)
Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
