Munster Rugby scrum-half Conor Murray has been rewarded for his excellent European Champions Cup efforts last season by being crowned World Player of the Year at the 2018 Midol Rugby Oscars. 

Voted for by readers of Midi Olympique, the 29-year-old won the award after a string of delightful displays for club and country, including helping Munster reach the Champions Cup semi-finals. 

He scored two tries in their run to the last four, including a crucial first-half score in their quarter-final win against RC Toulon as they defeated the three-time winners 20-19. 

Speaking at last night’s ceremony, Murray said: “It’s pretty special, I think, the relationship between Irish and French teams, especially my club Munster. We have been in France for years. Our fans know it really, really well. 

“I’ve a lot of experience down here. Any time I come here and play rugby against the French, I know a few of the French players and they are very welcoming and accommodating; they’re good guys. It’s an honour.” 

Murray is yet to feature for the Irish province this season, but they have enjoyed an excellent start to their Heineken Champions Cup campaign. 

They kicked off their European season with a 10-10 draw against English Premiership finalists Exeter Rugby at Sandy Park, before brushing aside Gloucester Rugby in a 36-22 win at Thomond Park to leave them top of Pool 2 with seven points. 

Other players to be honoured on the night were RC Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud alongside European Cup winners Vincent Clerc, Bryan Habana and Jean-Baptiste Poux, as well as Challenge Cup winner Aurélien Rougerie and former All Black Conrad Smith. The sextet were all inducted as Rugby Oscars ‘legends’.