Ulster star John Cooney has been named to the United Rugby Championship’s Elite XV in the competition’s end-of-season awards. Cooney, who has been with Ulster since 2017, joins a distinguished group of Irish talent in the selection. This includes Munster’s Alex Nankivell, Tadhg Beirne, and Jack Crowley—Crowley being named Players’ Player of the Year—and Leinster’s Jordan Larmour.
Cooney, a Dubliner, is familiar with being featured in the league’s top team, marking his fifth inclusion. He previously earned spots for four consecutive seasons from 2017/18 to 2020/21. His return to the Elite XV after a three-year gap is notable, driven by his leadership in Ulster’s points tally in the URC, scoring 109 points. Cooney’s dependable kicking has been crucial to the team, valued by both former head coach Dan McFarland and current coach Richie Murphy.
At 34, Cooney has made 140 appearances for Ulster, amassing 1,121 points over his seven-year tenure. He played a central role in Ulster’s late-season surge, which saw the team secure sixth place and a Play-Off spot, a scenario that seemed unlikely earlier. Under Murphy, the team achieved a pivotal series of four wins in their last five regular-season games, defeating Cardiff, Benetton, Scarlets, and Leinster to clinch a Quarter-Final berth.
Although Ulster was defeated by Leinster 43-20 at the Aviva Stadium on June 8 in the Quarter-Final, Cooney’s selection as the No. 9 in the Elite XV underscores his significant impact throughout the 2023/24 season. His performance has been a key factor in Ulster’s competitive campaign.
