Ireland captain Caelan Doris missed out as South Africa’s Pieter-Steph Du Toit was named World Rugby men’s Player of the Year in Monaco.
The Leinster number eight was shortlisted alongside the South African trio of du Toit, Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe with the powerful backrower scooping the award.
Former Ireland internationals Keith Wood (2001), Johnny Sexton (2018) and current player Josh van der Flier (2022) have previously won the award.
Du Toit succeeds French maestro Antoine Dupont, who took home the sevens player of the year after helping his country to Olympic glory after a short-term sabbatical from the 15s game.
Doris was named on the team of the year, joined by Ireland team-mates Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe and Tadhg Beirne.
Ireland’s Terry Kennedy, shortlisted alongside French pair Dupont and Aaron Grandidier Nkanang for the sevens individual award, was named on the men’s sevens team of the year.
Jamie Os𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧e, shortlisted for Men’s Breakthrough Player of the Year, was beaten to the award by New Zealand’s Wallace Sititi, with England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and South Africa back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also missing out.
James Lowe’s first try against England in the Six Nations was in the running for try of the year, but the award went to Nolann Le Garrec’s score against England.
The 21-year old Wicklow flanker has made a huge impact for the 15s side since making her debut in the autumn, subsequently scoring two tries in the sensational 29-27 victory over New Zealand in the Women’s XV1 in September.
