Leinster and Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton has been nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year award.
It is a deserved nod to an exceptional season for the 33-year-old. Sexton was instrumental in Ireland's Six Nations and Grand Slam triumph while also collecting a historic double with Leinster in the Pro14 and Champions Cup.
BREAKING!
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
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 2, 2018
The list also features Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), Faf de Klerk (South Africa), Rieko Ioane (New Zealand) and Malcolm Marx (South Africa).
The shortlist was selected by a panel made up of Richie McCaw, John Smit, George Gregan, Maggie Alphonsi and former England coach Clive Woodward alongside Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll, Fabien Galthié and Agustín Pichot.
The last six winners have been New Zealand players. If Sexton were to prove victorious, he would be the first Irishman since Keith Wood in 2001 to win the award.
The winner will receive the award a the World Rugby Awards at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo on November 25th.
