Antoine Dupont and three England women’s players have been nominated for the World Rugby Awards 2024, as South Africa dominate the Men’s XVs Player of the Year shortlist.
Three of the four players up for the headline gong to be awarded on Sunday, November 24 in Monaco belong to the Springboks’ back-to-back World Cup-winning squad, with Ireland’s Caelan Doris the sole exception.
Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit all started their narrow victory in the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, while back rower Doris helped Leinster to the Champions Cup final in May.
England have strong representation in the women’s categories, with Ellie Kildunne and Alex Matthews up for Player of the Year, while Maddie Feaunati could be named Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Dupont, meanwhile, is listed on the three-man shortlist for Sevens Player of the Year, along with fellow Olympic gold medallist Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, who also ran in four tries for the home favourites at the Paris 2024 Games.
The only Englishman to be included in the nominations is 21-year-old Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is the youngest male player to make it onto the Breakthrough Player of the Year shortlist this time around.
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Feyi-Waboso made his England debut in the 2024 Six Nations, scoring five tries in eight appearances for his country since then.
Half of the nominations for the International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year came against England, such as James Lowe’s acrobatic finish in the Six Nations and Nolann Le Garrec’s superb team try in France’s 33-31 victory at the Stade de France.
Supporters are able to view and vote for both the men’s and women’s Try of the Year until Wednesday, November 20.
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin called the Sevens tournament at the Olympics “groundbreaking” and the titles on offer “the ultimate accolades” in the sport.
“On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to warmly congratulate all nominees selected today and thank them for their contribution to the advancement of our sport,” Gilpin said.
“In a calendar year that saw fantastic 15s tournaments and Sevens competitions including a groundbreaking Olympics Games in Paris, they have shone brightly and inspired fans worldwide, showcasing the best of our sport and its values.
“We look forward to uniting our global family in Monaco for the fourth time under the High Patronage of H.S.H Princess Charlene of Monaco, and presenting a wider cast of winners with the ultimate accolades in rugby – The World Rugby Awards.”
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World Rugby Men’s XVs Player of the Year
Caelan Doris (Ireland)Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
World Rugby Men’s XVs Breakthrough Player of the Year
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa)Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England)Jamie Osborne (Ireland)Wallace Sititi (New Zealand)
International Rugby Players Men’s XVs Try of the Year
James Lowe (Ireland v England, Men’s Six Nations, 10 March)Lorenzo Pani (Italy v Wales, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)Nolann Le Garrec (France v England, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)Akaki Tabutsadze (Georgia v Australia, July Internationals, 20 July)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year
Antoine Dupont (France)Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (France)Terry Kennedy (Ireland)
World Rugby Women’s XVs Player of the Year
Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France)Ellie Kildunne (England)Alex Matthews (England)Alex Tessier (Canada)
World Rugby Women’s XVs Breakthrough Player of the Year
Caitlyn Halse (Australia)Maddie Feaunati (England)Erin King (Ireland)Hannah King (New Zealand)
International Rugby Players Women’s XVs Try of the Year
Alyssa D’Incà (Italy v Scotland, Women’s Six Nations, 20 April)Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand v Australia, Pacific Four Series, 25 May)Maya Stewart (Australia v Wales, WXV, 28 September)Marine Ménager (France v Canada, WXV, 29 September)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year
Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)Maddison Levi (Australia)Jorja Miller (New Zealand)Stream the Gallagher Premiership, 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women’s Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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