Andy Farrell named World Rugby Coach of the Year

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been named World Rugby Coach of the Year, while Ardie Savea was crowned Men's 15s Player of the Year at the World Rugby Awards in Paris.

And no fewer than five Irish players were selected on the World Rugby Team of the Year, the joint-highest alongside France.

Farrell, who guided Ireland to their fourth ever Grand Slam earlier this year, took home the award ahead of fellow nominees Jacques Nienaber, Ian Foster and Fiji's Simon Raiwalui.

The Englishman presided over a remarkable 17-game winning streak which commenced during the summer test series victory in New Zealand last year but ended in gut-wrenching fashion in this month's World Cup quarter-final against the same opposition.

The mastermind behind an unforgettable year in Irish rugby

Andy Farrell is named the World Rugby Coach of the Year for 2023#WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/06kn91ZvcR

All Black back row Savea was named as Player of the Year, beating out from competition from Bundee Aki, Antoine Dupont and Eben Etzebeth.

The 30 year old Savea, previously nominated in 2019, enjoyed a stellar World Cup, delivering a Man of the Match in the quarter-final win over Ireland this month.

It is the 11th time the Player of the Year award has gone to a New Zealand player. Three Irish players have won the prize, Keith Wood taking the inaugural award in 2001, Johnny Sexton (2018) and Josh van der Flier (2022).

"Very blessed and very grateful"

Ardie Savea after being named Men's 15s Player of the Year in partnership with @Mastercard pic.twitter.com/TNiPXDc2QY

No fewer than five Irish players were included in the 2023 team of the year, with Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Caelan Doris and the centre due of Aki and Garry Ringrose all selected.

Five French