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Remarkable treble at World Rugby awards caps wonderful year for Ireland

Johnny Sexton has been crowned World Rugby Player of the Year on a night of sweeping success for Ireland.

By The Newsroom
Published 25th Nov 2018, 21:31 BST
Updated 8th Jan 2019, 16:59 BST
Ireland's Johnny Sexton with his World Rugby Player of the Year 2018 award and Ireland captain Rory Best who collected Ireland's World Rugby Team of the Year
Ireland's Johnny Sexton with his World Rugby Player of the Year 2018 award and Ireland captain Rory Best who collected Ireland's World Rugby Team of the Year
Ireland's Johnny Sexton with his World Rugby Player of the Year 2018 award and Ireland captain Rory Best who collected Ireland's World Rugby Team of the Year

Joe Schmidt scooped the coach of the year award, with Ireland named team of the year in a triple win for the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam winners at the World Rugby Awards.

British and Irish Lions fly-half Sexton has become the first northern hemisphere winner of World Rugby’s top accolade since France’s Thierry Dusautoir in 2011.

The 33-year-old is just the second Irishman to land the gong, following in the footsteps of former Ireland hooker Keith Wood, in 2001.

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Sexton was unable to make an acceptance speech - due to having lost his voice - and Ireland captain Rory Best, who received the award on behalf of the squad for the World team awards, did the honours.

Sexton’s stunning drop-goal on the 41st phase of the final play secured Ireland a 15-13 win over France in Paris, as Schmidt’s men set the ball rolling on just their third-ever Grand Slam.

The lynchpin playmaker also guided Leinster to the PRO14-Champions Cup double, before starring when Ireland toppled back-to-back world champions New Zealand 16-9 in Dublin earlier this month.

Kiwi boss Schmidt has guided Ireland from eighth to second in the world rankings in five years at the Test helm.

That rise has proved as measured as it has rapid, and has earned the taskmaster boss the coach of the year prize.

South Africa’s Aphiwe Dyantyi pipped Ireland’s Jordan Larmour to the Breakthrough Player of the Year award.

France’s Jessy Tremouliere is World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, with New Zealand’s Michaela Blyde claiming the Women’s Sevens award.

Australia’s Angus Gardner picked up the Referee Award, with Doddie Weir scooping the Award for Character.

Jamie Armstrong of charity The Clan was handed the Spirit of Rugby Award, while Stephen Moore and DJ Forbes both picked up the IRP Special Merit Award.