Wood, Johns join IRUPA hall of fame

Two more Irish rugby legends will be inducted into the IRUPA Hall of Fame on May 19, joining Mick Galwey and Peter Clohessy.

This year the inductees into the IRUPA Hall of Fame are former Munster, Harlequins, Ireland and Lions hooker Keith Wood and former Ulster, Saracens and Ireland lock Paddy Johns.

Keith and Paddy received 58 and 59 caps respectively for their country, with Keith captaining Ireland a record 33 times.

Keith Wood is regarded as one of rugby's greatest players of all time both in the amateur and professional era.

He made his international debut on Ireland's tour of Australia in June 1994, went on two Lions tours, was voted IRB Player of the Year in 2001 before retiring last year after saying "my heart and my head is willing but my body has had enough".

Paddy Johns received his first cap while he was a student at Dublin University against Argentina in 1990 and went on to represent Ulster, Saracens and Ireland with distinction before retiring from international rugby in November 2000. Paddy also led Ireland on 10 occasions.

Keith Wood said: "I am very proud to be accepting this award and joining my former colleague's Gaillimh and Claw in the IRUPA Hall of Fame. I am looking forward to receiving the award on the night when I will no doubt be able to join in with the celebrations of the players of the Triple Crown winning team."

This is the second year of the O2 IRUPA Rugby Players Awards, the only awards ceremony voted for by the players themselves.

As well as the Hall of Fame award there are six categories including O2 Players' Player of the Year, Unsung Hero of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Try of the Year and the O2 People's Player of the Year.