Stuart McCloskey Named Six Nations Player of the Championship Nominee

Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey is among the nominees for the 2026 Six Nations Player of the Championship award. The announcement comes after a dominant tournament performance that has garnered widespread praise.

McCloskey’s Impactful Six Nations

The 33-year-ancient Ulster player has been a key figure in Ireland’s campaign, consistently delivering impactful performances. He has been recognized for his strong ball-carrying, offloading ability, and defensive contributions.

Recognition and Accolades

McCloskey has already been lauded as Ireland’s player of the tournament, despite not receiving individual match-to-match honors. His influence on games has been described as offering irrefutable proof of a burgeoning standing not just within the Irish squad, but the wider Test rugby community..

He is on a four-man shortlist for the championship award. His phone has never buzzed so much! he recently stated.

Career Highlights

• Plays as a centre for Ulster and the Ireland national team.
• Has been Ulster’s player of the year twice.
• Has twice been named on the Pro14 Dream Team.
• Currently has 28 international caps for Ireland (as of March 14, 2026).
• Has played 212 games for Ulster, scoring 199 points (as of January 24, 2026).

Early Career

McCloskey grew up in Bangor, County Down, and initially played for Bangor Grammar School and Dungannon RFC before joining Ulster’s academy. He combined playing with studying structural engineering with architecture at Queen’s University Belfast.

Looking Ahead

The nomination for Player of the Championship underscores McCloskey’s growing reputation as one of the premier centres in Test rugby. His continued success will be vital for both Ulster and Ireland in the seasons to come.