Ireland out-half Jonathan Sexton has made the five-man shortlist for the World Rugby Player of the Year award.
The 33-year-old has had a stunning 2018, helping Ireland to the Grand Slam and a first series win in Australia for 39 years, while also scooping a historic Pro14 and Champions Cup double with Leinster.
Sexton was nominated for the gong four years and will go up against some stellar names this time around. The last Irishman to win it was Keith Wood, back in 2001.
New Zealand's Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane, and South African pair Faf de Klerk and Malcolm Marx make up the list.
BREAKING!
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 2, 2018
Here are your nominees for the World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year 2018 in association with @Mastercard
Winner to be announced at the #WorldRugbyAwards on 25 November pic.twitter.com/VePASy2nwk
Barrett could become the first player to win the award three years in a row after another stellar season in the All Blacks number 10 jersey, scoring seven tries in his eight Tests this year.
Ioane, the youngest of the nominees at only 21, has found himself on the shortlist for the second year in a row, having also been named the Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2017.
Meanwhile France dominated the nominations for the women's award.
French captain Gaelle Hermet was joined by team-mates Pauline Bourdon, Safi N'Diaye and Jessy Tremouliere on the shortlist after their Grand Slam triumph this year.
They were joined by Kiwi skipper Fiao'o Faamausili, the oldest of the nominees at 38.
The awards will be presented in Monte Carlo on 25 November.
