Ireland's Caelan Doris up for World Rugby player of the year award

Ireland's Caelan Doris has been nominated for the World Rugby men’s player of the year award.

The Leinster number eight is nominated alongside the South African trio of Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit.

The Mayo native played a huge part in Ireland’s Six Nations title last spring and led the team in the second Test against the Springboks during the summer.

The 26-year-old was appointed Ireland and Leinster skipper at the start of this season.

Former Ireland internationals Keith Wood (2001), Johnny Sexton (2018) and current player Josh van der Flier (2022) have previously won the award.

Ireland and Leinster back Jamie Osborne is on the four-man shortlist for breakthrough player of the year, with England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, South Africa back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and New Zealand flanker Wallace Sititi.

Ireland’s Terry Kennedy is nominated for the sevens player of the year, where he will be up against France pair Antoine Dupont and Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, who helped the team to gold at the Olympics.

Erin King, who moved from Ireland sevens to 15s this season, is up for women’s breakthrough player of the year after a series of exceptional performances for Scott Bemand’s side.

45mins ENG 8-17 IRE

James Lowe gets in for Ireland's first try of the game as they increase their lead against England at Twickenham.