Ireland pair Johnny Sexton and Josh van der Flier have been nominated for the World Rugby men's player-of-the-year award, while boss Andy Farrell has been short-listed for coach of the year.
Out-half Sexton, 37, won the award in 2018 and has had another outstanding year, leading Ireland to the top of the world rankings after their historic series win in New Zealand, plus victory over South Africa earlier this month.
Flanker Van der Flier, 29, has been another dynamic performer for Ireland, scoring four tries in nine Test matches.
Springboks centre Lukhanyo Am and France captain Antoine Dupont, the current world player of the year, are also on a four-man shortlist.
Farrell, who masterminded Ireland's Test series triumph against New Zealand in July and has seen his team rise to No 1 in the world rankings, is joined by England women’s head coach Simon Middleton, New Zealand women’s supremo Wayne Smith and France boss Fabien Galthié on the shortlist for head coach of the year.
Smith led New Zealand to Women’s World Cup glory on Saturday as they ended England’s 30-game winning streak with a thrilling 34-31 victory, while Galthié guided France to a first Six Nations Grand Slam in 12 years. They beat South Africa on Saturday to register a record-extending 12th Test win in a row.
Two more Irishmen, Mack Hansen and Dan Sheehan, have been shortlisted for the breakthrough player of the year award.
Hansen and Sheehan have played key roles for Ireland this year as they won a first series in New Zealand, finished as Six Nations runners-up and beat world champions South Africa.
Hansen, who made his debut in last February’s Six Nations opener against Wales, has become a mainstay on the wing and scored tries in this month's wins over South Africa and Fiji to take his tally to three in eight games.
Sheehan grasped his opportunity at international level following the injury to Leinster team-mate Ronán Kelleher, starting all three Tests against the All Blacks.
The 24-year-old came off the bench against Fiji last weekend for his 12th Test cap.
Italy full-back Ange Capuozzo, who scored two tries in their historic win over Australia, is also up for the breakthrough player award along with England’s Henry Arundel.
Linda Djougang's try against Wales in the TikTok Women's Six Nations is up for Women’s Try of the Year, while Ireland Sevens stars Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Terry Kennedy have been recognised for their outstanding seasons.
Murphy Crowe was once again in rich try-scoring charts in 2022 with 36 scores, helping Ireland to memorable podium finishes in Seville and Langford.
Kennedy finished the season with 50 tries to his name as Ireland won a World Series silver in Toulouse last May and then claimed a memorable bronze medal at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town in September.
The World Rugby awards ceremony takes place in Monaco on Sunday.
Follow a live blog of Ireland v Australia on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app this Saturday from 8pm with live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
